THE FUTURE OF DIVERSITY AND DEMOGRAPHIC INCLUSION

Dear Reader sh’yichyeh,

In this week’s Torah portion we learn about the commandments of building the Mishkan and its’ vessels as well as the garments of the Kohanim and the Kohen Gadol. The commandment to build the Mishkan is an eternal one, as the main commandment is to build a home for Hashem inside each and every Jew. As our sages say on the Pasuk (Truma 25:8) “And they shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst,” “The verse does not say, ‘and I will dwell within it,’ but ‘and I will dwell within them,’ within each and every one of them.”

The mitzvah of building the Mishkan is very connected to the Mitzva of Hakhel and to preparing the world for Moshiach.

In addition to the fact that the Mitzva of Hakhel took place in the Beis HaMikdash, these two Mitzvos (Hakhel and building the Mishkan/Mikdash) have something very special in common: They are both performed by all demographics of the population, men, women and children. Regarding Hakhel, the Torah tells us (D’varim Parshas VaYeilech): “Assemble the people: the men, the women, and the children, and your stranger in your cities, in order that they hear, and in order that they learn and fear the Lord, your God, and they will observe to do all the words of this Torah.”

We find the same thing with regard to the building of the Mishkan. In Parshas Truma (25:2) the Torah writes about the men: “Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take for Me an offering; from every man whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My offering.” In Parshas VaYakhel (35:22) the Torah tells us about the donations of the women to the building of the Mishkan: “The men came with the women; every generous hearted person brought bracelets and earrings and rings and buckles, all kinds of golden objects…” And finally, the children were also involved in the building of the Mishkan, as our sages (Avos D’Rabbi Nassan 11:1) tell us that even children participated in the donations to the Mishkan.

The complete fulfillment of the commandment of making a home for Hashem will take place in the times of Moshiach. In addition to the fact that in Yemos HaMoshiach we will merit to have the eternal third Beis HaMikdash, the entire world will recognize Hashem and the world will finally be a dwelling place for Hashem. This will fulfill the purpose of creation that “Hashem desired a dwelling place in this physical and lowly world.”

Being that this is the purpose of all of mankind, the responsibility of bringing Moshiach and learning about Inyanei Moshiach is also shared by every single person of the Jewish people, men, women and children. In the words of the Rebbe:

“In order to realize the immediate revelation and coming of Moshiach – each and every Jew (the men, whether they are dwellers in the tent (Yisachar) or men of business (Z’vulun), and the women and children, each one according to his ability) should increase their learning of Torah, particularly the subjects of Moshiach and Redemption.” (Tazria-M’tzora 5751)

“From the international convention must come and be brought good resolutions such that every shliach must prepare himself and prepare all Jews in his place and city, etc. to greet our righteous Moshiach. This should be done through his explanation of the concept of Moshiach, as explained in the Written Torah and the Oral Torah, in a way that it will be received by everyone according to his intellect and understanding.

“This includes in particular learning the subject of Moshiach and Redemption, and specifically in a manner of Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge. And since this is the Divine service of the time, it’s understood that this applies to every Jew without any exception whatsoever.” (Chaya Sara 5752)

Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com.