Prayer for Being Meticulous with Material Matters and Recognizing How the Seemingly Insignificant May Matter the Most

Parashat Pekudei

Prayer for Being Meticulous with Material Matters and Recognizing
How the Seemingly Insignificant May Matter the Most

 
Hashem, help me be honest and exact in all material affairs,
in money matters, payment of wages, lost objects, and repairs!
 
Help me take good care of everything I use,
Let me never be late in paying any of my dues!
 
Knowing the importance of a clean record in all my calculations,
I hope always to be careful to separate off the correct donations!
 
Regarding any profits from various products that I sell,
may keeping a separate valet for tzedakkah serve me well!
 
Like Moshe who was impeccably honest with copper, silver, and gold,
please let me never mistakenly any donation for myself withhold!
 
May I be a pleasing blessing for all,
whether they are great or seemingly small!
 
The most important are often the overlooked little joints,
Let me not be swayed to regard them as insignificant points!
 
We learn about the vital role of the Mishkan’s hooks,
even if they do not affect the way the exterior looks.
 
Just as the hooks kept everything together
even in storms of inclement weather,
please strengthen me in connecting all the dots,
while untying the entanglements of the knots! 
 
With all the world’s conflicts and divorce,
help me become a unifying force!
 
While intellectual pursuit attracts greater acclaim,
May I not be carried away by importance and fame!
 
Let me not fear to apply the work of my hands
For the sake of carrying out all Your commands!
 
Hashem help me not to let my ego stand in the way,
of knowing what really matters at the end of the day!

Based on the Book of Shemot Chapter 38:21 and 39:43 which provides the complete account of the Mishkan, its material and vessels. 

Why does the book of Shemot which is called סֵפֶר הַגְּאֻלָּה/Sefer HaGeulah – ‘The Book of Redemption’ culminate in a mere accounting of materials, wouldn’t we expect a more spiritual ending of the book of Shemot?

 

ספר שמות פרק לח פסוק כד כָּל הַזָּהָב הֶעָשׂוּי לַמְּלָאכָה בְּכֹל מְלֶאכֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ וַיְהִי זְהַב הַתְּנוּפָה תֵּשַׁע וְעֶשְׂרִים כִּכָּר וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת וּשְׁלשִׁים שֶׁקֶל בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ:

“All the gold that had been used for the work in all the work of the Holy, the gold of the waving offering, was twenty-nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the holy shekel” (Shemot 38:24).

Why did Moshe who was the most faithful trusted leader have to show and account of how the donations were used? 

ספר שמות פרק לח פסוק כח

וְאֶת הָאֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע הַמֵּאוֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁה וְשִׁבְעִים עָשָׂה וָוִים לָעַמּוּדִים וְצִפָּה רָאשֵׁיהֶם וְחִשַּׁק אֹתָם:

(כט) וּנְחשֶׁת הַתְּנוּפָה שִׁבְעִים כִּכָּר וְאַלְפַּיִם וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁקֶל:

(ל) וַיַּעַשׂ בָּהּ אֶת אַדְנֵי פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד וְאֵת מִזְבַּח הַנְּחשֶׁת וְאֶת מִכְבַּר הַנְּחשֶׁת אֲשֶׁר לוֹ וְאֵת כָּל כְּלֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ:

(לא) וְאֶת אַדְנֵי הֶחָצֵר סָבִיב וְאֶת אַדְנֵי שַׁעַר הֶחָצֵר וְאֵת כָּל יִתְדֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְאֶת כָּל יִתְדֹת הֶחָצֵר סָבִיב:

“Of the thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars The copper of the waving was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels. From that, he made the sockets of the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the copper altar, the copper grating upon it, and all the implements of the altar, and the sockets of the courtyard all around and the sockets of the gate to the courtyard, all the pegs of the Mishkan and all the pegs of the courtyard all around” (Shemot 38:28-31).

Why is much less mentioned about the use of gold and silver, as opposed to the very detailed accounting for the use of the copper? 

The Hooks of Creation

The Mishkan corresponds to the work of creation. The greatest wonder of everything in creation is the joints. The Torah starts with the letter “beit,” which has the numerical value of two. This teaches us that our world is one of dualism. It links the material with the spiritual. When we join the different links together, we bring about a unity that is beyond the natural duality of this world. Although the golden menorah and the ark with its cherubs are glamorous, we must not forget the seemingly insignificant hooks, clasps, and pegs that connected the entire Mishkan and without them, everything would fall apart.

It was impossible for people of flesh and blood to join the Mishkan together. As Rashi explains, “they brought the Mishkan unto Moshe” (Shemot 29:33), for they were unable to erect it. Moshe said to the Holy One, blessed be He, “How is its erection possible by human beings?” G-d answered him, “You be busy with your hands!” Although Moshe appeared to be erecting it, in fact, it set itself on end and rose of its own accord. That is why Scripture states, “The Mishkan was erected” (Shemot 40:17), implying – by itself. The Mishkan, signifying unity, could only be erected through Divine intervention. Moshe merited becoming the vehicle for Divine assistance because he was the unifier of the Jewish people. Women also have the ability to reach beyond discords and join together in spite of differences. When we use this ability, Hashem assists our endeavor and allows the Feminine Indwelling Presence (Shechinah) to rest within the Jewish people. (Based on Women at the Crossroads: A Woman’s Perspective on the Weekly Torah Portion, Parashat Pekudei).

ספר שמות פרק לט פסוק מג

וַיַּרְא משֶׁה אֶת כָּל הַמְּלָאכָה וְהִנֵּה עָשׂוּ אֹתָהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה הָשֵׂם כֵּן עָשׂוּ וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם משֶׁה:

“Moshe saw the entire work, and lo! they had done it-as Hashem had commanded, so had they done. So, Moshe blessed them” (Shemot 39:43).

Prayer for Creativity and Generosity to Give of Ourselves for the Sake of Building Hashem’s Sanctuary

Parashat Vayakhel

Prayer for Creativity and Generosity to Give of Ourselves

for the Sake of Building Hashem’s Sanctuary
 
Hashem, I wish the building of Your Temple would begin,
I’d like to employ my talents and learn to weave and spin.
 
Meanwhile, let me merit to add another layer,
and fix the curtain of our local House of Prayer!
 
Help me integrate my heart, soul, and hands,
expressing myself to fulfill Your commands!
 
Please heal the cracks in the skin of my finger.
It is hard to do crafts when it seems to linger.
 
Hashem help me my skills to hone,
as I am unable to do anything alone.
 
Please G-d let my efforts help me atone
for my many sins even those unknown!
 
Grant me the inspiration to create!
Help me keep all the lines straight!
 
Show me where You need me to add my touch,
whether it is in a grand project or nothing much!
 
Guide me with wisdom to know where to give,
and understand how a profound, holy life to live!
 
Remove my stinginess and arouse me to share,
of my gold and silver and dresses I like to wear! 
 
Imbue me with a generous spirit to give of myself,
 blue, purple, and crimson wool, and linen from my shelf!
 
Teach me how every material is here to raise,
employing it all to serve You in various ways!
 
Help me inspire others to connect their mind and heart,
to express their unique creativity and do their part!
 
Infuse me with energy to work with heart and soul,

to contribute my unique part to the greater whole! 

Based on the Book of Shemot Chapter 35: 

ספר שמות פרק לה פסוק ה קְחוּ מֵאִתְּכֶם תְּרוּמָה לַהָשֵׁם כֹּל נְדִיב לִבּוֹ יְבִיאֶהָ אֵת תְּרוּמַת הָשֵׁם זָהָב וָכֶסֶף וּנְחשֶׁת:

(ו) וּתְכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי וְשֵׁשׁ וְעִזִּים:

“Take from yourselves an offering for Hashem; every generous hearted person shall bring it, [namely] the Lord's offering: gold, silver, and copper; and blue, purple, and crimson wool; and linen and goat hair” (Shemot 35:5-6).

ספר שמות פרק לה פסוק כב וַיָּבֹאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים עַל הַנָּשִׁים כֹּל נְדִיב לֵב הֵבִיאוּ חָח וָנֶזֶם וְטַבַּעַת וְכוּמָז כָּל כְּלִי זָהָב וְכָל אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הֵנִיף תְּנוּפַת זָהָב לַהָשֵׁם:

“The men came with the women; every generous hearted person brought bracelets and earrings and rings and buckles, all kinds of golden objects, and every man who waved a waving of gold to Hashem” (Shemot 35:22). 

הָאֲנָשִׁים עַל הַנָּשִׁים literally it means, “the men on the women.” Rashi comments on this unusual expression and explains that the men came with the women closely following them. Ramban emphasizes that since the donation of jewelry pertained to women, they preceded the men in donating gold, and the men were secondary to them. The women all had jewelry, and took off their rings and earrings immediately, to bring them at once. Only afterward did the men, having found some jewelry, bring it too.

Rabbeinu Bachaya writes that the language “Al hanashim” teaches that the women came first. When the men arrived, they found that the women had already brought their contribution. This is a great tribute to the women, who refused to give their jewelry to the Golden Calf. However, for the Mishkan they were excited to donate their golden jewelry. Although it is natural for women to want to keep their jewelry to themselves, they even preceded the men in bringing clasps, pendants, rings, golden beads and all vessels of gold.

Kli Yakar explains that the women did not need to give their gold to the Mishkan, since only the men, who gave to the Golden Calf, needed an atonement by giving to the Mishkan. Although the women didn’t need an atonement as they didn’t give their jewelry to the Golden Calf, they anyway donated to the Mishkan due to their extra love of holiness. However, it didn’t state that the women brought. They only handed over their jewelry to be given by others. Had the women given their gifts directly with their own hands it would look as if they needed an atonement from the Golden Calf.

 

ספר שמות פרק לה פסוק כה

וְכָל אִשָּׁה חַכְמַת לֵב בְּיָדֶיהָ טָווּ וַיָּבִיאוּ מַטְוֶה אֶת הַתְּכֵלֶת וְאֶת הָאַרְגָּמָן אֶת תּוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי וְאֶת הַשֵּׁשׁ:

“Every wise hearted woman spun with her hands, and they brought spun material: blue, purple, and crimson wool, and linen” (Shemot 35:25).

Why does it state, “spin with their hands”? Is it possible to spin without the hands?

There are wise women who teach others how to spin without being skilled in the use of their own hands. therefore, it states “with their hands,” to show that they were both wise and knew how to use their hands. The spinning was their own handicraft. They did not buy yearn which was spun by others. They also did not hire workers to do the spinning for them, but they themselves, put their own effort into the spinning, because of their love for the mitzvah. 

            In our modern society, where everything can be bought readymade, we often lose contact with the pleasure and satisfaction of expressing our feminine creativity through the loving gifts of our own handicrafts. How much love and devotion goes into the hand-knitted sweater that grandma is dedicating for her new grandchild. The image of her loving grandbaby is on her mind with each purl and knit. How sweet is the scent of homemade challah emerging from our kitchens on Erev Shabbat, and the sight of the matching Shabbat dresses that Ima has sewn especially for her daughters. When my son’s well-meaning praise of my homemade peanut butter cookies sounded, “They are almost as good as store bought,” I knew something had gone wrong in our consumer society. The puffed-up attractiveness of the uniform machine-made goodies in any color and shape, which fills the shelves of our supermarkets, have made us forget to value the importance of the individual talent and creativity of womanhood.

            While reading this, you might object, that you just don’t know how to either weave or spin, so you have no choice but to buy things ready-made. However, the women at Sinai teach us not to despair. Where there is a will there is a way. This is alluded to by the grammatical difficulty in our verse: “And every woman that was wise hearted did spin with their hands.” The tense of the verb does not fit the subject. Whereas the subject is written in singular “Kol Isha” the verb is written in plural: “Tavu” The Shach explains that as soon as the women would take the blue wool to spin, Divine assistance would cause it to be spun by itself. Therefore, the word for spin “tavu” is written in the plural, since another force would spin with them. Likewise, women of today should not despair from expressing our individual creativity. When our excitement and devotion to give, spurs us on to either paint, sew, knit, bake, weave or spin, then G-d will surely assist our loving endeavor (Based on Women at the Crossroads: A Woman’s Perspective on the Weekly Torah Portion, Parashat Vayakhel).

 

ספר שמות פרק לה פסוק כו וְכָל הַנָּשִׁים אֲשֶׁר נָשָׂא לִבָּן אֹתָנָה בְּחָכְמָה טָווּ אֶת הָעִזִּים:

(כו) וְכָל הַנָּשִׁים אֲשֶׁר נָשָׂא לִבָּן אֹתָנָה בְּחָכְמָה טָווּ אֶת הָעִזִּים:

“And every wise hearted woman spun with her hands, and they brought spun material: blue, purple, and crimson wool, and linen. And all the women whose hearts uplifted them with wisdom, spun the goat hair” (Shemot 35:25-26).

 

SPUN THE GOAT HAIR - This constituted a superior skill, for they [the women] spun it on the backs of the goats. [from Shabbat 74b] (Rashi, Shemot 35:26).

 

“All the women that were wise hearted…And all the women whose heart prompted them in wisdom...” Why is the word “wisdom” used twice in connection with the women who spun the goats’ hair?  This indicates that spinning the goats’ hair required additional wisdom apart from the spinning of sky-blue, purple and scarlet threads.  Because our verse reads, “tavu et haizim,” literally, “spun the goats,” Rashi explains that the women had the extraordinary skill of spinning directly from off the backs of the goats. The reason behind this unusual skill was the desire of the women to participate in the work of the Mishkan. However, since some of them were niddah (ritually impure), and therefore unable to engage in the general work of the Mishkan, they would spin from off the back of the goats because the animals do not receive tumah (ritual impurity). While the rest of the women were busy preparing the materials needed for the magnificent curtains of the Mishkan, certain wise women chose to be involved with the curtains of goats’ hair. Although the latter occupation was less glorious, it was more vital to the protection of the Mishkan, because it constituted the main part of the tent as taught by Rabbi S. R. Hirsch. Moreover, the essence of womanhood is manifest in the concept of the tent.  By choosing the vital over the attractive, and identifying with the main part of the tent, these women expressed the wisdom and power of womanhood. 

ספר שמות פרק לה פסוק כט כָּל אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר נָדַב לִבָּם אֹתָם לְהָבִיא לְכָל הַמְּלָאכָה אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה הָשֵׁם לַעֲשׂוֹת בְּיַד משֶׁה הֵבִיאוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נְדָבָה לַהָשֵׁם:

“Every man and woman whose heart inspired them to generosity to bring for all the work that Hashem had commanded to make, through Moshe, the children of Israel brought a gift for Hashem” (Shemot 35:29).

Prayer for Divine Direction During the Devastating Pandemic

 

Parashat Ki Tisa

Prayer for Divine Direction During the Devastating Pandemic
 
Hashem, how long must we live with this lingering plague,
making everything in life so unknown, hazy, and vague?
 
Since this pandemic makes it nearly impossible to plan,
please reveal Your soft pillar of cloud to lead every man!
 
We have learned to carefully choose our embrace,
Accepting that You will never expose Your face.
 
Please Hashem will You at least reveal Your back!
We are tired of computers from PC to Mac.
 
How long until we get out of this constraint?
New-fangled Divine insights we long to gain!
 
You led us into this land of milk and honey,
but now people are suffering without money!

 
What are we supposed to do with all this pain?
More and more people are going insane!
 
Everyone is tearing his brother apart,
What has happened to our loving heart?
 
For our atonement let us give half a coin!
Being in it together we must each other join!
 
Trying everything to avoid the plague to transfer,
through smells of oregano, frankincense, and myrrh.
 
What do You want us to learn from all this?
When will we know the lessons that we miss?
 
How long must golden calves of today
constantly keep leading us astray? 
 
One thing we have learned is that we cannot control,
who is going to escape and who will come out whole.
 
How do You want us to grow from this?
Where do we turn to fulfill our highest wish?  

Inspired by Yishai Ribo’s Keter Melucha Song

 

Based on the Book of Shemot Chapter 30-33:

 

ספר שמות פרק ל פסוק יב

כִּי תִשָּׂא אֶת רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְקֻדֵיהֶם וְנָתְנוּ אִישׁ כֹּפֶר נַפְשׁוֹ לַהָשֵׁם בִּפְקֹד אֹתָם וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בָהֶם נֶגֶף בִּפְקֹד אֹתָם: (יג) זֶה יִתְּנוּ כָּל הָעֹבֵר עַל הַפְּקֻדִים מַחֲצִית הַשֶּׁקֶל בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ עֶשְׂרִים גֵּרָה הַשֶּׁקֶל מַחֲצִית הַשֶּׁקֶל תְּרוּמָה לַהָשֵׁם:

“When you take the sum of the children of Israel according to their numbers, let each one give to Hashem an atonement for his soul when they are counted; then there will be no plague among them when they are counted. This they shall give, everyone who goes through the counting: half a shekel according to the holy shekel. Twenty gerah equal one shekel; half of [such] a shekel shall be an offering to Hashem” (Shemot 30:12-13).

ספר שמות פרק ל פסוק כג וְאַתָּה קַח לְךָ בְּשָׂמִים רֹאשׁ מָר דְּרוֹר חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת וְקִנְּמָן בֶּשֶׂם מַחֲצִיתוֹ חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם וּקְנֵה בֹשֶׂם חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם: (כד) וְקִדָּה חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ וְשֶׁמֶן זַיִת הִין:

(כה) וְעָשִׂיתָ אֹתוֹ שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קֹדֶשׁ רֹקַח מִרְקַחַת מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵחַ שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה:

“You, take for yourself spices of the finest sort: of pure myrrh five hundred [shekel weights]; of fragrant cinnamon half of it two hundred and fifty; of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred according to the holy shekel, and one hin of olive oil. You shall make this into a holy anointment oil, a perfumed compound according to the art of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointment oil” (Shemot 30:23-25).

ספר שמות פרק ל פסוק לה וְעָשִׂיתָ אֹתָהּ קְטֹרֶת רֹקַח מַעֲשֵׂה רוֹקֵחַ מְמֻלָּח טָהוֹר קֹדֶשׁ:

(לו) וְשָׁחַקְתָּ מִמֶּנָּה הָדֵק וְנָתַתָּה מִמֶּנָּה לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד אֲשֶׁר אִוָּעֵד לְךָ שָׁמָּה קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים תִּהְיֶה לָכֶם:

“You shall make it into incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, well-blended, pure,

holy. Then you shall crush some of it very finely, and you shall set some of it before the testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will arrange meetings with you; it shall be to you a holy of holies (Shemot 30:35-36).

ספר שמות פרק לב  פסוק כז וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם כֹּה אָמַר הָשֵׁם אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שִׂימוּ אִישׁ חַרְבּוֹ עַל יְרֵכוֹ עִבְרוּ וָשׁוּבוּ מִשַּׁעַר לָשַׁעַר בַּמַּחֲנֶה וְהִרְגוּ אִישׁ אֶת אָחִיו וְאִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶת קְרֹבוֹ:

“He said to them: ‘So said Hashem, the G-d of Israel: Let every man place his sword upon his thigh and pass back and forth from one gate to the other in the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his friend, every man his kinsman’” (Shemot 32:27).

ספר שמות פרק לג פסוק ג אֶל אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ כִּי לֹא אֶעֱלֶה בְּקִרְבְּךָ כִּי עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶף אַתָּה פֶּן אֲכֶלְךָ בַּדָּרֶךְ:

“…to a land flowing with milk and honey; because I will not go up in your midst since you are a stiff-necked people, lest I destroy you on the way” (Shemot 33:3).

ספר שמות פרק לג פסוק י וְרָאָה כָל הָעָם אֶת עַמּוּד הֶעָנָן עֹמֵד פֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל וְקָם כָּל הָעָם וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ אִישׁ פֶּתַח אָהֳלוֹ:

“When all the people would see the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and prostrate themselves, each one at the entrance of his tent” (Shemot 33:10).

ספר שמות פרק לג פסוק יח וַיֹּאמַר הַרְאֵנִי נָא אֶת כְּבֹדֶךָ:

“He said: ‘Show me, now, Your glory!’” (Shemot 33:18).

 ספר שמות פרק לג פסוק כג וַהֲסִרֹתִי אֶת כַּפִּי וְרָאִיתָ אֶת אֲחֹרָי וּפָנַי לֹא יֵרָאוּ:

“Then I will remove My hand, and you will see My back, but My face shall not be seen” (Shemot 33:23).

Prayer for Preserving our Divine Image by Dressing Modestly

 Parashat Tetzaveh

Prayer for Preserving our Divine Image by Dressing Modestly

Hashem thank you for filling my wardrobe with colorful attire.
I appreciate the varied outfits You allowed me to acquire.
Although I am not much of a buyer,
I possess all the dresses I desire. 
 
May the awareness of You help me prevail
not to be tempted to buy everything on sale!
Strengthen me to succeed and not to fail,
to reveal only my face but never my tail.
 
Not minding making the old look new,
I pray to dress in a way that honors You,
grazed by silky fabric of the perfect hue,
above all the color of Your sky so blue.
 
Through proper clothes, I yearn You to extol,
by expressing the garments of my soul.
Although it is not entirely in my control,
I wish to preserve my divine image whole.
 
May no wild strand of hair from my covering glide,
and let no treetop make my headscarf become untied!
Don’t let my clothing cause me from Your Face to slide!
By the intricate rules of modesty, I desire to abide.
 
Like Aharon whom You ordered to dress in glory,
the way we dress spins the threads of our life story!
Help me go through my wardrobe and make an inventory,
sharing what no longer serves me, without feeling sorry!
 
I pray that my modest dress won’t cause any divide.
Don’t think I am ashamed or have anything to hide.
You taught me to carry myself with dignity and pride,
for “All the honor of a king’s daughter remains inside.”

Based on the Book of Shemot Chapter 28

 

ספר שמות פרק כח פסוק ב וְעָשִׂיתָ בִגְדֵי קֹדֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת:

ה) וְהֵם יִקְחוּ אֶת הַזָּהָב וְאֶת הַתְּכֵלֶת וְאֶת הָאַרְגָּמָן וְאֶת תּוֹלַעַת הַשָּׁנִי וְאֶת הַשֵּׁשׁ:

“You shall make for Aharon, your brother, holy garments for honor and for glory…They shall take the gold, the sky-blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the white linen.”  (Shemot 28:2, 28:5) 

ספר דברים פרק כג פסוק טו כִּי הָשֵׁם אֱלֹהֶיךָ מִתְהַלֵּךְ בְּקֶרֶב מַחֲנֶךָ לְהַצִּילְךָ וְלָתֵת אֹיְבֶיךָ לְפָנֶיךָ וְהָיָה מַחֲנֶיךָ קָדוֹשׁ וְלֹא יִרְאֶה בְךָ עֶרְוַת דָּבָר וְשָׁב מֵאַחֲרֶיךָ:

“For Hashem, your G-d, goes along in the midst of your camp, to rescue you and to deliver your enemies before you. [Therefore,] your camp shall be holy so that He should not see anything unseemly among you and would turn away from you” (Devarim 23:15). 

ספר תהילים פרק מה פסוק יד כָּל כְּבוּדָּה בַת מֶלֶךְ פְּנִימָה מִמִּשְׁבְּצוֹת זָהָב לְבוּשָׁהּ:

“All honor [awaits] the King’s daughter who is within; her raiment is superior to settings of gold” (Tehillim 45:14). 

ספר משלי פרק לא פסוק כב מַרְבַדִּים עָשְׂתָה לָּהּ שֵׁשׁ וְאַרְגָּמָן לְבוּשָׁהּ:

“Luxurious bedspreads she made herself, fine linen and purple wool are her clothing” (Mishlei 31:22).

 

ספר משלי פרק לא פסוק כה  עוֹז וְהָדָר לְבוּשָׁהּ וַתִּשְׂחַק לְיוֹם אַחֲרוֹן:

 “Strength and Majesty is her garments, and she laughs at the very last day” (Mishlei 31:25).

Prayer for Becoming a Resting place for the Shechina, and Playing a Vital Role in the Rebuilding of the Temple

Parashat Teruma

Prayer for Becoming a Resting place for the Shechina,