A Time for Unity
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This week is parshas Vayakel and parshas Shekalim. These two parshios, together with this year being a year of Hakel (ingathering), point as one toward a shared and inspiring message.
In parshas Vayakel Moshe Rabbenu gathered the Jewish people together for the purpose of building the Mishkon. They organized the donations and the building, which was carried out by Betzalel and Aholiav. The theme of the entire parsha is how we all come together united in purpose to achieve a dwelling place for Hashem in this world through the building of the Mishkon.
The parsha of Shekalim describes the mitzvah of everyone giving a half shekel for the building and upkeep of the Mishkon. Every single person, young and old, rich and poor were equals, we gave no more or no less to build the sockets, the foundation of the Mishkon and to pay (every year) for the communal sacrifices. The theme drives home the same point as parshas Vayakel, unity. We all give 10 gera each, which represents our very best, at the same time as great as it is it’s never more than a half, we need each other to complete the giving to be an entire shekel.
In the year of Hakel the King gathers everyone together, man, woman and child into the Beis HaMikdash on the holiday of Sukkos. He reads to them from the Torah. The purpose of this ingathering is to re-experience the revelation at Mount Sinai at the giving of the Torah to all of us who received it together as one. Once again we have the same theme of unity. In order to reach our purpose we need each other.
The last public address that we have from the Rebbe was on Shabbos parshas Vayakel, parshas Shekalim 5772-1992. The Rebbe spoke about achdus. This same theme was the focus of this Sicha; that we are one, part of one Klal Yisroel, and we should unite and stay united (A portion of this Sicha is printed in this month’s Chodesh magazine).
On the 22nd of Teves 5748-1988 three shluchim left to Russia to work on releasing the holy sefarim of the Rebbe Rashab’s and the Previous Rebbe’s library. At the time of there was a maamar (Hayosheves B’Ganim 5713) being prepared for printing and distribution. The Rebbe had one copy of the maamar and before the shluchim left they met with the Rebbe who gave each one of them one page of the maamar and said that to be able to learn the maamar they will need each other (That year was also a Hakel year).
The lesson to each one of us is clear. In order to be able to accomplish what we all need to, we need each other’s help. We cannot do it alone. The Mishkon is for everyone; the korbonos are for everyone and everyone, even the King needs each other to gather together. This mitzvah of Hakel is only accomplished when we come together and participate. Through unity we will be finish the job of ending galus and together bring Moshiach in Hakel at the third Beis HaMikdash.
A Good Shabbos; A Good Chodesh