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THE WEEKLY SIDRA- VAYAK’HEIL
Rabbi Moshe Greebel

Rav Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik (1886-1959) of blessed memory, once asked why there was a need for the Sidros of Vayak’heil and P’kudei to be included in the Torah altogether? After all, they seem not to be anything more than an exact repetition of the two Sidros T’rumah and T’tzaveh, which already discussed in great detail, the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and the production of the Bigdei K’huna (attire of the Kohanim). Instead of repeating every detail of both these endeavors, why did the Torah simply not state, as it has so many other times, “And, the B’nai Yisroel did as they were commanded….”?

In order to understand the meaning behind this apparent repetition, explained Rav Yitzchak Zev, a more elementary question must be posed, specifically, when it comes to measurements (space, time, dry, liquid), do human beings have the ability to be exact- dead on, so to speak?

It just so happens that the Gemarah in B’choros 17a, discusses this very matter. Prior to examining that particular Gemarah though, in the time of a Bais HaMikdash, the first born male calf of a flock or herd, would go to a Kohain: 
“All the firstling males that come of your herd and of your flock you shall sanctify to HaShem your G-d; you shall do no work with the firstling of your bulls, nor shear the firstling of your sheep. You shall eat it before HaShem your G-d year by year in the place which HaShem shall choose, you and your household. (D’varim 15:19-20)

Rashi explains:
“You shall eat it before HaShem your G-d…..It is speaking of it (first born) going to a Kohain…..” 

We now return to the aforementioned Gemarah in B’choros, where we see the following very peculiar occurrence in a Mishna:

“A ewe which never before had given birth, bore two males, and both heads came forth (out of the womb) simultaneously. Rabbi Yosi HaG’lili states, ‘Both belong to the Kohain, for it is stated, “…..And every firstling that comes of a beast which you have; the males shall be HaShem’s…. (Sh’mos 13:12).”’”

That is, when the Torah speaks earlier of the first born to the Kohain, the expression ‘the males shall be HaShem’s’ is in the plural, which denotes a case of two calves being born simultaneously, both going to the Kohain. We return to the Mishna:

“…..The Chachamim state, ‘It is impossible to be exact (as to which head emerged first)! One belongs to him (owner), and one belongs to the Kohain…..’”

Concerning the statement of the Chachamim, the Gemarah on 17b has the following to say about the ability of human beings to be exact in measurement:
“The Yeshiva of Yanai said, ‘Of Rabbi Yosi HaG’lili we have heard that he said, “It is possible to be exact in matters of heaven, and, therefore, how much more so, is it possible to be exact in human actions…..?”’”

Momentarily interrupting the Gemarah, we see that when it comes to ‘matters of heaven’, as this simultaneous birth (Rashi), human beings have the capability of being exact. It follows that if one can be exact with ‘matters of heaven,’ one can certainly be exact with human matters. We return to the Gemarah:
“…..And, according to the Rabbanim (the above Chachamim), it is impossible to be exact in matters of heaven (as per their opinion in the Mishna). What is their view with reference to human actions? Come and hear! A red line went round the Mizbai’ach (altar) in order to divide between the blood to be sprinkled above and the blood to be sprinkled below. Now if you say that it is impossible to be exact in human actions, sometimes the Kohain might put the blood which should be above, below the (middle of) the Mizbai’ach…..?”

Since it is impossible to be exact in the human action of drawing a line precisely and totally accurately at the one half point of the Mizbai’ach, some of the sprinkled blood would have wound up in the wrong place. How then, could the blood always be sprinkled accurately and dead on? The Gemarah resolves this:
“…..The line was made somewhat wide…...”

Therefore, since they aimed much higher or much lower, all the blood wound up in the correct area. In any event, at least from the Chachamim, we see that when it comes to measurements, it is impossible for mankind to be totally accurate, and to verify this, the Gemarah learns:

“…..(Proof of man’s ability to be exact should be seen) from the measurements of the vessels (of the Mishkan] and from the measurements of the Mizbai’ach! It is different there, since the Divine Law said, ‘Do it, and in whatever manner you are able to do it, it will be satisfactory…..’”

Basically, prior to the production of the vessels and the Mizbai’ach, the B’nai Yisroel were told simply to produce them, regardless of any accuracy on their part. Accuracy is not generally a human trait.

And, here concluded Rav Yitzchak Zev, when it came to the vessels and the altar, the reason all this detailed work is repeated in Vayak’heil and P’kudei, is to show that the B’nai Yisroel were so diligent, so industrious, and so dedicated to the task, that they actually did achieve a sense of perfection and exactness, when it came to all the measurements of the Mishkan. 

The obvious repetition in other words, is there to draw us in, to teach us that the B’nai Yisroel did achieve full accuracy, a trait not normally associated with mankind. It is, metaphorically speaking, the Torah telling us that all these vessels require a second very careful look, because of their very rare state of perfection and exactitude.

Yes, it certainly does seem that mankind has the capability of transcending its human boundaries when the desire is there to do so. We have a very long heritage of Torah luminaries, who down through the ages, excelled at the study of Torah, far beyond human expectations. As well, the other nations of the world certainly have their own individuals, who acquitted themselves quite favorably in what was prior thought to be impossible. But, more than anything, all ability and genius is the gift of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, which He so lavishly bestows on us undeserving human beings. Let us learn to always make good use of any amount of that gift we have been given.

May we soon see the G’ulah Sh’laimah in its complete resplendency- and in our times. Good Shabbos.