Parsha Points to Ponder

Parsha Points to Ponder - Vayakhel-P'kudei

1) Why does the Torah state SIX DAYS YOU SHOULD DO WORK before commanding to rest on Shabbat (35:2)? Isn’t it obvious that one would be working the rest of the week?
2) Why is igniting a fire the only prohibited action on Shabbat actually spelled out in the Torah (35:3)?
3) Why does the Torah specify that both men and women donated towards the Mishkan (35:22)? Why would we have thought otherwise?

Answers - Ponder the questions first and then look here

1) The Ohr HaChayim explains that through these words G-D was teaching that if a person observes Shabbat they can rest assured that all the work they need done will be accomplished during the other six days and no one should fear losing out because of observing Shabbat.

2) Daat Zekainim MiBaalei Hatosfot answer that igniting a fire is a simple, uncomplicated act and we might think this is not a melacha. That could lead a person to light a fire on Shabbat to prepare for the performance of other melachot after Shabbat is over.

3) The Kli Yakar teaches that since the Mishkan came to atone for the sin of the golden calf, one could have assumed that the women who did not sin didn’t participate in the building of the Mishkan. The Torah, therefore, specifies the greatness of the women who wanted to be involved in this holy action even though it was unnecessary for them.

Points to Ponder is prepared by Rabbi Dov Lipman who teaches at Reishit Yerushalayim and Machon Maayan in Beit shemesh and is the author of “DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and Adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith” (Feldheim) and “TIMEOUT: Sports Stories as a Game Plan for Spiritual Success” (Devora) His Hagada commentary, “FOUNDATIONS” will be published by Targum before Pesach
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