Time, Place, and Self

Published March 11, 2010

This week, we have another example of a message from the sedra that is enhanced by something in the Maftir - or vice versa. Remember that there is not necessarily any connection between the readings from the two Torahs of a special Shabbat, but often there is.

KEDUSHA - Sanctity.

Parshat Vayakhel begins with three p’sukim that remind us about Shabbat and the seriousness of violating it. Shabbat is the prime example of G-d’s sanctification of TIME. For six profane weekdays, work shall be done and the seventh day shall be holy for us, it is a supreme day of rest for G-d… Sanctity of time.

These three p’sukim are followed by 211 p’sukim - the rest of Vayakhel and all of P’kudei, which deal with the command and fulfillment of the mitzva to build the Mishkan and fashion all of its furnishings and vessels. The Mishkan is the Mikdash. It is sanctity “personified”, the sanctity of PLACE.
This pretty much covers our entire existence. We exist in a PLACE at a TIME in the cosmic realm of things. And these two manifestations of KEDUSHA - Shabbat and Mikdash, Mikdash and Shabbat - cover everything that we are.

Almost. There is still more.

Into the picture comes the Maftir for Parshat HaChodesh. It begins with a further lesson about sanctity of time - one that is more of our own doing than Shabbat. G-d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh - AL KEIN, therefore, He blessed the Shabbat and He sanctified it. He commands us to “keep” the Shabbat, to treat it with respect and sanctity, to enjoy it - but He is the One Who sanctified it.

With HaChodesh HaZeh LACHEM - emphasize LACHEM… Rishon Hu LACHEM - emphasize LACHEM again, WE are taught by G-d how to sanctify time. G-d taught us what to look for in the sky in order to set the ball in motion for the sanctification of the Jewish Calen- dar, but we do it. Rosh Chodesh is ours. The Jewish calendar is ours. Well, it’s really G-d’s but it is our doing.

The Maftir elevates the concept of Sanctity of Time to a new height. Even though Shabbat has a higher Kedusha than Yom Tov, our involvement in the establishment of the calendar adds greatly to our almost bystander status with Shabbat.

In Kedushat Makom, we can say that the partnership between G-d and ourselves definitely is present. You make for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among you.

And that which really completes the picture of KEDUSHA is G-d’s command to us of KEDOSHIM TIHYU, be holy. Not enough to sanctify time and place, we must constantly strive to be holy.