Help from Above by Moshe Schechter

(2003/5763)

The Torah in Perek 39 Pasuk 32 says, “Vateichel Kol Avodat Mishkan Ohel Moed Vayaasu Bnai Yisrael Kichol Asher Tziva Hashem Et Moshe Kain Asu,”  “All the work of the Mishkan was completed and Bnai Yisrael did like all that Hashem had commanded Moshe, so did they do.”  At first glance, you would think that the Pasuk should begin with the words “Vayaasu Bnai Yisrael” and only afterwards say “Vateichel Kol Avodat Mishkan Ohel Moed.” The Alshich writes that Hashem helps people who do Mitzvot. How does He help them? He gives people who partake in a Mitzvah credit for doing the entire Mitzvah. Bnai Yisrael were not experts at doing the Melacha in the Mishkan, but Hashem helped them. This is why it says “Vateichel Kol Avodat” as if the Mishkan was built on its own, because the Mishkan was from Heaven. Even so, the Pasuk is written as if Bnai Yisrael made the Mishkan themselves. This is why it says “Vayaasu Bnai Yisrael Kichol” with an extra Kaf, that Bnai Yisrael did like Hashem had commanded Moshe. The extra Kaf implies that even though it appears as if they had done it, it was really Hashem who did it. Therefore, it says “Kichol Asher Tziva Hashem,” that Bnai Yisrael did like Hashem said, but not exactly as He had said.  Still, though, Hashem considered it as if Bnai Yisrael did it, and therefore, the Pasuk says “Kain Asu.”

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