Portion of the Portion

The Center Crossbar of Chesed

In the beginning of this week’s portion Hashem tells us to build the MIKDASH and all its furnishings, “following the plan that I am showing you” (Sh’mot 25:9). Then G-d proceeds to give instructions about how to build the ARON/ark (25:10-22), the SHULCHAN/table (25:23-30), and the MENORA (25:31-40).
Then come the instructions on how to build the MISHKAN itself (26:1-36), the MIZBEI’ACH/altar (27:1-8) and the CHAZEIR/enclosure (27:9-19).

The MISHKAN was built with 48 upright standing beams of acacia wood - K’RASHIM - that were covered by 10 tapestry panels - YERIOT - sewn together, made of twined linen, sky-blue, dark red, and crimson wool with a pattern of cherubs woven into them. Over this was placed 11 joined panels of goats hair - YERIOT IZIM - to serve as a tent protecting the Tabernacle. And a roof of reddened rams’ skins for the tent was added on top as well, as a roof of blue processed hides.

This week we will look at one detail mentioned regarding the construction of the MISHKAN and see how it relates to our conduct every day. Verse (26:28) states V’HABRIACH HATICHON B’TOCH HAKRASHIM MAVRI’ACH MIN HAKATZEH EL HAKATZEH - The center crossbar shall go through the middle of the beams, from one end (of the Mishkan) to the other”

Rashi (26:15) says that HAKRASHIM, the 48 upright beams of the MISHKAN, were planted by Yaakov in Egypt to be ready for the building of the MISHKAN. He made sure before he died to inform his children to take these boards with them when leaving Egypt to be ready to build the MISHKAN. And what about the B’RIACH HATICHON - the middle beam? Where did they come from?

The Targum Yonatan states that the center crossbar was made with wood that came from trees that Avraham planted. Rav Mordechai Mann of Bnei Brak says that Avraham planted those trees as an act of kindness - to provide shade for travelers in the desert. The center crossbar of the whole Tabernacle was taken from this tree to remind us that our service to Hashem is centered around chesed, loving kindness, to other people. No matter what we are doing we must remember to have compassion for those who may need some kind of help.

In this day and age when we are all in such a rush with all that we want to accomplish, we must remember that what Hashem wants is for us to be centered around chesed.

For example, maybe we should not be upset by the person who asks us for Tzedaka while we are davening at the Kotel but rather see that as an opportunity to put chesed as the crossbar of our own Mishkan.

MEATLOAF with a “CENTER BAR” of CAULIFLOWER

1 small cauliflower
Salted water
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. Oil
1 egg
1/4 cup ketchup or chili sauce
1/3 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
Dash of pepper
1 lb. lean ground beef
Straight-sided souffle dish

Rinse cauliflower, remove leaves and lower core and check for bugs. Place stem down in 1 inch of boiling salted water; cover and steam 5 minutes. Drain and place in greased 1 to 1 quart dish.

Saute onion in oil until brown; remove from heat. Beat egg, mix in ketchup, bread crumbs, garlic salt, and pepper. Then lightly mix onion and ground beef. Mold beef mixture evenly around sides and top of cauliflower. Bake, uncovered at 350F (175C)for 45-50 minutes or until meat is done and cauliflower is tender.

To serve, cut in wedges.

Makes 4 servings.

• Other Portion of the Portion
• The Hide & Seek of Purim
• SHOV'VIM TAT
• The Women in Sh'mot