Page 76 - Shemot-e-book-RF4-FP_Neat-221215-V24102-NPW

Audio: Track 22 76
The Book of Exodus – ‫חומש שמות‬

Torah Portion Pekudey

The Torah portion of Pekudey recounts the completion of the building of the
Tabernacle. Everyone came to contribute with love and joy to the building of
the Tabernacle.

Giving charity and contributions is of great importance in Judaism.

They tell a story that a man once came to Rabbi Chaim of Sanz and complained
that he did not have enough money in order to marry off his daughter. The rabbi
told him to go to a man, a rich scholar, and to request charity from him.
When he came to that man, the man said to him: "'Learning Torah is equivalent
to all the other commandments" – I have no time to be involved with something
else."

After several months, that scholar came to Sanz. The rabbi got angry at him and
told him this:
It is told in the Torah that when Yosef went to Shechem to search for his
brothers and lost his way – it is written in the Torah, "A man found him"
(Be'Reshit 37:15). Rashi comments: "A man" – this is the Angel Gavriel.

And yet by Yaakov when it says, "A man wrestled with him" (Be'Reshit 32:25),
Rashi comments: he is the Guardian Angel of Eisav.

How is it, that the same word "a man," can be one time the Angel Gavriel (a
good angel) and another time the Guardian Angel of Eisav (angel of the enemy).

The answer is: if Yosef loses his way and a man comes who shows him the way,
then he is the Angel Gavriel.

But when Yaakov meets a man and asks him to do him a favor and bless him,
the angel says that he has no time:

"He said: 'Let me go, for the dawn has risen.'" (Be'Reshit 32:26)

Rashi comments that he needs to say songs of praise to God at the beginning of
the day.

A man like this who has no time to help others – he is the Guardian Angel of
Eisav…

All rights reserved to Yoel & Orly Ganor