Vayakhel -- Unity and the Assembly of Israel.
                              By Moshe Burt

This year Parshiyot Vayakhel and Pekudei are a not a potent, power-packed "doubleheader", but each is a Shabbat Parsha unto itself. And so this year, we focus this week on our Parsha Vayakhel.   And this Parsha HaShevua marks a special event;  a Sefer Torah,  acquired and restored via the Sefer Torah Recycling Network with the help of a group of donors from Beit Shemesh,  was transferred to the possession of Anshe Neve Dekalim in Gush Katif.   The Hachnasat Sefer Torah is being planned IY'H for Shushan Purim.
 
Our Parsha Vayakhel is dedicated to teaching B'nai Yisrael about Shabbat which has always, until recent times, been the unifying, defining factor of Judaism.  It alludes to all else -- Yishuv HaAretz, Kiddushin, etc.  It symbolizes the Jew's faith in Hashem.  The parsha begins by stating that "Moshe assembled the entire congregation of B'nai Yisrael..." (Perek 35, Posuk 1)  However, Torah's loshen (language) "Adat B'nai Yisrael", in the context of learning the laws of Shabbos as related to the construction of the Mishkan seems to indicate a unity, as one, amongst the Assembly of the B'nai Yisrael

The introduction of Parsha Vayakhel;"...These are the words that Hashem commanded you to do" (Perek 35, Posuk 1) is not merely an introduction but a rectification, a kapparah for the Chait HaEigel. 

But there is question.  Was Vayakhel meant only as a Mitzvah in the times of Moshe Rabbeinu and the Malchei Yisrael?  Or was it meant to have application for B'nai Yisrael throughout our travails in Galut, including our current troubled times where divisiveness, me-first self-centeredness and self-aggrandizement, a bitter war against murderous Arab terror threatens to destroy us from within in ways that the Arabs alone would never be able to accomplish were we truly "Adat B'nai Yisrael"?

The word Vayakhel -- Assembling together of Kol B'nai Yisrael, introduces the building of the Mishkan (Tent of Meeting), the forerunner of the Beit HaMikdash, which serves as a kappara (atonement) for the Eigel Zahav (Golden Calf).

Torah in Parsha Ki Tisa says on the making of the Eigel, "Vayakhel ha'am al Aharon" (Perek 32, posuk 1) which seems to imply an assembling, unifying process to be used against Aharon who is Hadugma shel Shalom V'Yahadut, the epitome of peace and unity.

Vayakhel, when used for Tov, is to actualize immense power and potential which is capable of being used for the most lofty, noble goals -- building, growing and developing love for our fellow Jews, Kavod shel Shemayim V'Torah (man's recognition of Hashem's control of the world and Torah as Hashem's blueprint for man's service).

Vayakhel, when used for rah, is capable of being used, Heaven forbid, to undermine and destroy.  Or if the vehicle, Vayakhel is not used at all, the reticence and inability of Am Yisrael to come together and even talk about unity is something for which we all would be held accountable.

Mida keneged Mida, Vayakhel of our Parsha, by Moshe Rabbeinu's emphasis on the holiness of Shabbat and his appeal for funds and donations toward the building of the Mishkan, serves to rectify the previous misuse of gathering together.  Our Parsha Vayakhel is meant to atone for the Chait HaEigel.   

And so, the theme of our Parsha seems particularly appropriate for transferring this Sefer Torah to David Bonfeld and his Chasdei Shimrit Community Center in Neve Dekalim.

About the time that I made Aliyah, a few days shy of 6 years ago, Hillary Clinton's book,  "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" was the talk of the US.  In fact, contrary to the old adage which says "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", I detest the Clintons but I lifted the title to make a point in a Vort at the Kiddush made for me before I left for Aliyah -- "It takes a Kehilla to make a Ba'al Teshuva."

Much as I detest the Clintons and all of the harm that they both have inflicted upon Israel, and thus upon my Jewish brethren, nevertheless, I lift that book title again now to make a similar point.  It takes a Kahal, an assembly of Jews with a spirit of unity, of oneness of heart to bring about a Mitzvah such as what we commemorate today in transferring this Sefer Torah to our brothers -- Anshe Neve Dekalim in Gush Katif and plan for the upcoming Hachnasat Sefer Torah celebration to take place B'Ezrat Hashem on Shushan Purim.
 
"Moshe saw all of the work and behold they did it as the Almighty commanded, so did they do, and Moshe blessed them." (She'mos 39.43)   Rashi says on "...and Moshe blessed them",  that Moshe said, "May it be Hashem's will that the Shechinah rest upon your handiwork" as well as the verse "May the pleasantness of my Lord, our G'd, be upon us -- our handiwork may he establish for us; our handiwork may he establish."  (Tehillim 90.17 -- from the Tehillim composed by Moshe Rabbeinu.)

Just as Moshe Rabbeinu blessed the B'nai Yisrael, repeating "so did they do" three times in the two posukim (39.42-43) possibly alluding to the rectification by B'nai Yisrael of the three elements of the sin of the Eigel Zahav (the golden calf) -- denial of Torah in deed, speech and in thought, this Moshe is enormously grateful on this occasion to all who helped in their own special way to bring about the success of placing a Sefer Torah in the Chasdei Shimrit Community Center and in the planning of the upcoming Hachnasat Sefer Torah. 

One individual can't make something like this happen.  It takes many people with one unifying purpose -- to bring Sifrei Torah to locations throughout Eretz who lack their own and who lack the finances to do so.   

It may take someone with an idea, with a concept.  But it takes many people -- an owner of a Sefer Torah, a fine Sofer, people online or via communications medium.   It takes donors, of Sifrei Torah and of funds -- donors at different levels, donors from Israel as well as from the US and from across the world.  The small donors of 50 or 100 NIS mean as much as the donors of hundreds of shekalim or dollars.   It takes people who see the merit of an idea and who want to be part of a Mitzvah in helping their fellow Jews, be he a web host and designer, a Mashpia, Rabbanim.  It takes a group of donors unified toward one common goal,  as were the B'nai Yisrael in Parsha Vayakhel, yet wishing to remain anonymous.  You know who you are and you deserve, as Limbaugh would say, Mega-Dittos HaKaras HaTov for your Mesirous Nefesh. And it takes a spirit which says, like the old Doritos potato commercial, "Bet you can't eat just one."  The thanks are too numerous to enunciate in the short time allotted for speeches.

I'll just mention a few, no rhyme or sequence to the order.  I'll start with the Schilit family of Beit Shemesh who, by telling me of their son's Yeshiva Re'uta which needed a Sefer Torah, set the wheels in motion whereby the result was that I became acquainted with a guest at that celebration in November who was to later put together a group of donors toward acquiring and restoring this Sefer Torah for Chasdei Shimrit Community Center.  

And there is a selfless web host who has spent countless hours with me over the past few years helping to develop my website, going over statistics, etc.  There is Rabbi Moshe Braun who, over the past few years has provided fine counsel to me in matters pertaining to Safrus and idea development.   And I mustn't overlook the Safrus organization; Mishmeret Kedusha in Ge'ula in Jerusalem with whom the Sefer Torah Recycling Network has established what B'Ezrat Hashem will be an ongoing relationship in helping needy Shuls and Communities throughout Israel.  The kindness, warmth, patience and professionalism of Mr. Peretz and his son Tomer has enhanced and beautified this Mitzvah and experience.

And there is Rabbi/Sofer Moshe Sandowski who has restored 4 Sifrei Torah, 3 of which now are being used in locations in Eretz Yisrael -- including a Sefer placed in Shi-rat HaYam last summer and a 4th Sefer to be placed in a Junior/Senior High School Beis Medrash which he (Moshe Sandowski) has been instrumental in founding.  And there are two Rabbanim back in Philadelphia, in the old country, who have efficiently and professionally processed cash donations.   And there are Rabbanim such as Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky , Sh'lita - Rosh Yeshiva at Philadelphia Yesha, as well as Rabbi Zev Leff, Sh'lita, Rabbi Don Channen, Sh'lita of the Pirchei Shoshana Shulchan Aruch Project, Rabbi Arye Gordon, Sh'lita, Rabbi Aba Wagensberg, Shlita, who have been supportive and who have encouraged The Sefer Torah Recycling Network to go forward.

And special, special HaKaras HaTov goes to Rabbi Chaim Zev Malinowitz, Sh'lita of Kehilla Beis Tefillah who, by example, has strengthened and reinforced my determination that Anshe Gush Katif will prevail and that the Expulsion will fail.  And I must recognize here the support, warmth and immense kindness of Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik, Sh'lita and Rabbi Kalman Menachem Shapira, Sh'lita -- Admor Piaseczna with his ever-present pleasant countenance and wonderful stories and encouragement.  These three Rabbonim have been a huge source of strength, moral support and and encouragement to me. 

There are countless others, in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore as well as my Kehilla Beis Tefillah and other Kehillot from other Shuls in RBS who have, by both their words and actions, expressed in tangible terms their support for The Sefer Torah Recycling Network.   The list is endless...

And I would be remiss if I didn't give a Big Kol Hakavod to David Bonfeld who saw a crying need for outreach in Neve Dekalim and throughout Gush Katif and moved mountains to build a Shul and outreach center. And there is the indomitable strength and persistence of Moshe Saperstein who is a rock-solid Pillar of Anshe Gush Katif and a model for us all.  It takes a Kahal to make a  Mitzvah!!

Finally, I want to say something about this, our beautiful Eretz Kadusha, our divine legacy.  Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, in his Sefer, "Growth Through Torah, quotes The Chofetz Chayim relating to Sh'mos, Perek 13, posuk 5; "To give you a land flowing with milk and honey, and you shall do this service."  In this vort,  The Chofetz Chayim commented on this verse regarding the B'nai Yisrael's performance of the Almighty's commandments;  "The Torah and the land of Israel are one unit.  Their relationship is as the relationship between the body and the soul.  A soul cannot exist alone in this world.  The body alone is just dust from the earth, it needs the soul to give it life.  The soul of the Jewish people is the sacred Torah.  The body is the land of Israel.  There are many commandments that cannot be fulfilled outside the land of Israel.   In exile, our people suffer.   Nevertheless, with all the difficulties involved in living in exile, we as a people are alive.  The land of Israel without Torah, however is a body  without a soul.  It is just a piece of land.  Only when both exist together is there a complete unit. ("Growth Through Torah", Pages 168-169,  quoting from "Chofetz Chayim al Hatorah, page 65.)

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, of Blessed Memory, beautifully expressed Yishuv Eretz Yisroel when he penned English words to the Hebrew prayer and niggun of "V'HaSheiv Kohanim" which many of us sing at the Shabbat table both here in Eretz Yisrael and in Chutz L'Aretz  -- "Restore the Kohanim to their service..."  It reads in part, "Return again, return again, return to the Land of your soul.  Return to who you are, return to what you are, return to where you are born and reborn again...."   Am Yisrael belongs in Eretz Yisrael.  Only when the Moshiach in each of us brings us to our own personal "Yetziyat" will we truly merit the Ge'ula Shlaima as Am Yisrael. 

I hold that to provide a Sefer Torah and to see to the costs of restoring a Sefer Torah for placement in a needy town, neighborhood, Shul, Kollel or Yeshiva anywhere in Israel is to act to possess Eretz Yisrael -- Eretz Kedusha.    To  donate, as a Corporate donor, as a Philanthropic Angel so as to establish The Sefer Torah Recycling Network as an ongoing Chessed with an operating budget so as to help in acquisition and restoration of multiple Sifrei Torah continuously is to grasp, embrace and possess  the contiguity of Eretz Yisrael.

At this time in history, with the Kedusha of Eretz Yisrael, Jewish Sovereignty and our very survival on the line, we need your help, both by way of donations of Sifrei Torah and by way of donations of funds in order to fulfill our mission of placing Sifrei Torah in needy locations throughout Israel, thus IY'H insuring their survival.  

The Sefer Torah Recycling Network, with the help of "Adat B'nai Yisrael", will grow to be a viable, serious organization which satisfies these needs on an ongoing basis.

In the merit of B'Ezrat Hashem, our collective unity -- "Adat B'nai Yisrael", our emunah and actions, and the proper motivations for them, may we ALL be zocha to have our Tefillah reach Shemayim, unimpeded, ungarbled.  As Rabbi Moshe Ungar would say each Thursday evening at his Gemara Shiur back in Philadelphia, in "the old country", B'Ezrat Hashem, may we be zocha to demand, to compel Hashem to do "what he wants to do, to bring us the Moshiach and the Ge'ula Shlaima, "bimhayro b'yameinu -- speedily, in our time." 

May we see an end to low, dirty politics, political equivocation, perfidy and false cheshbonot; freedom and long life in Eretz Yisrael for Jonathan Pollard and special merit for our brethren currently subject to police harrassment, political interrogation and political persecution. 

And IY'H, may it be that come this Rosh Hashana, that we pray thanks to Hashem for keeping our Brethren in Gush Katif and the Shomron in their homes and neighborhoods and away from the horror and Chillul Hashem of expulsion.
 
May we see the "Yom Hashem Al Kol HaGoyim" Achshav -- Immediately, Chik Chuk, Miyad, Etmol!!

**Please note that thoughts for this Parsha Sheet were gleaned from Shiurim  given over the years on Parsha Vayakhel by Rav Aba Wagensberg,Sh'lita, Rabbi Arye Gordon, and from various S'forim of Commentary sources.
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Moshe Burt, an Oleh, is a commentator on news and events in Israel and Founder and Director of  the Sefer Torah Recycling Network. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh.