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HOW VALUABLE IS MONEY?

As we are currently in the interim between Pesach and Shavuous we find our-selves counting the Omer from day one moving up to day 49 after which we celebrate Shavuous. The idea of counting every day reflects our anticipation for the great day on which HaShem will give us the Torah. Although normally one counts down to the day of great anticipation we count up. The reason for this is parallel to the counting that the chosson and kallah count towards their wedding day. Before the couple counts down to the wedding day there are prerequisites that need to be put in order. They need a venue, a caterer, a band, a florist, a photographer, a videographer and so on. Only after those needs are in order can they begin to count down. So we can actually call the days preceding the countdown as the count up where they collect all the necessary components to make the wedding.

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THE PRESENT OF HIS PRESENCE

The Jewish people reached their apex in this week’s Parsha, Shmini, with the completion and inauguration of the Mishkan. Finally, after all the preparations and building and practice, the first day of Nissan arrived and HaShem’s Presence will fill the Mishkan, the handiwork of our people. At every step of the process, the Torah testifies that it was all done according to the strict rules and instructions and the proper intentions that HaShem instructed Moshe. In spite of their conscientious dedication to all the details, nevertheless, once everything was done and the inaugural offerings were brought, HaShem’s Presence was nowhere to be seen. Our Sages teach that Aaron was shamefaced. He was certain that HaShem had not accepted his offerings and that the sin of the Golden Calf still hung over him. At that point Moshe and Aaron entered the Mishkan and davened to HaShem that He have mercy on them and rest His Presence on the Mishkan. After that prayer the Shechina descended.