Parshas Vayakel

In this week's Parsha, the Torah discusses the building of the Kiyor, the copper basin: .

 38-8 the Torah says,“He made
the basin out of copper
and its base out of copper…”

Rashi quotes the Midrash Tanchuma, who says,

“The daughters of Israel possessed mirrors into which they would look when

adorning themselves. Even those they did not withhold from bringing as a contribution for the mishkon. However, Moshe found them repulsive since their purpose is to incite the evil inclination. G-d said to him: Accept [them], for these are dearer to me than everything else because through them the women raised huge multitudes in Egypt. When their husbands were exhausted from their crushing labor they (the women) would go and bring them food and drink and feed them. They would then take the mirrors and each one would look at herself and her husband in the mirror, and entice him with words, saying, "See! I am more beautiful than you," thereby awakening their husbands' desire and they would cohabit with them. They conceived and gave birth there. As is stated: "Under the apple-tree did I arouse you." That is the intent of what is said: "By the mirrors of the ..." The wash-basin was made out of them for it serves to bring about peace between a man and his wife, by giving to drink from the waters inside it to anyone whose husband expressed jealousy and she, nevertheless, concealed herself [with another man] You can know yourself that these were actual mirrors, for it is stated: "The total copper donation was seventy kikar, etc. and he made from it, etc." whereas the wash-basin and its base are not mentioned there. Hence you have learned that the copper of the wash-basin was not from the donated copper. Thus did Rabbi Tanchuma explain it.”

What was the nature of the argument between Moshe and Hashem? Moshe argued that look what the mirrors were used for. G-d responded look at the motivation.”

The Siforno comments (8-8)

“The Kiyor was made out of the mirrors of those women who parted with them and gave them to the Mishkan. By so doing they demonstrated their willingness to give up these beauty aids, which they considered of relatively little value, and instead committed them to the service of Hashem.

What was the theory of the women? And why did they specifically give them to the Mishkan to be used for the service of Hashem?

My father, Rabbi Shalom Richter, suggested that in order to truly accept the Torah we need to be subservient to Hakadosh Baruch Hu without the interference of our own egos. The expressions of the ego are a distraction for complete Kabalas Ol Shamayim. These women focused themselves and their energies in the endeavor of Yidias Hashem and Yidias Hatorah. They truly sanctified the name of G-d and used this opportunity to be exclusively focused on attaining the greatest possible level of spirituality. The Kiyor was made out of the mirrors, because this is a pre-requisite to serving G-d in life but also in the Beis Hamikdash. The ability and desire to commit oneself to exclusively the service of G-d is a necessary pre-requisite to Avodas Hashem.

The Kiyor which represents the kohein prepairing himself for Avodas Hamikdash (kidush yadayim v’raglayim) was also a standing testimony and message to all of Klal Yisrael about their own dedication to Avodas Hashem and the qualities that are necessary to engage in the pursuit.

good shabbos

If you have anything to add, thoughts, or ideas on the dvar torah feel free to leave a comment!