rashihed.jpg (16002 bytes)

subscribe.gif (2332 bytes)

 

by Dr. Avigdor Bonchek

Introduction

Back to This Week's Parsha | Previous Issues


Parashas Pikudei 5768

This week's sedra continues the discussion of the construction of the Mishkan and with it we end the book Exodus.

Exodus 40:35

And Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because on it rested the cloud and the glory of Hashem filled the Mishkan.

RASHI

And Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting : Rashi: While another verse says: 'And when Moses entered the Tent of Meeting' ! comes the third verse and decides between them: 'because on it rested the cloud'; so we can conclude as long as the cloud was on it he could not enter, once the cloud removed itself , he could enter and [G-d] spoke with him.

WHAT IS RASHI SAYING?

Rashi has quoted the thirteenth rule of Rabbi Yishamel's 13 principle's of Torah interpretation. We recite these principles in the morning prayers, before Pisukie d'zimra.

The principle teaches us that when there are two verses that seem to contradict each other, the Torah gives a third verse which reconciles the contradiction.

But as you look at the example from our verse, which Rashi cites, you should have a question.

Hint: Do you see a contradiction between the two verses?

Your Question:

QUESTIONING RASHI

A Question: Is there really a contradiction here? Our verse says that Moses could not enter the Tent because the cloud rested on it. Rashi then cites a verse further on in the Torah in Bamidbar that says that Moses could enter the Tent. But if we read our verse completely we understand that Moses could not enter because the cloud rested on it, so if there were no cloud it would seem obvious that Moses could then enter the Tent. So all we had to do was read the whole verse and we would know the answer! By splitting the verse in two and then asking the question, it looks like an artificial question. Can you think of an answer to this difficult question?

Hint: What does the Hebrew word 'ki' mean in our verse?

Your Answer:

UNDERSTANDING RASHI

An Answer: I would suggest the following. When we read our verse completely we read that Moses couldn't enter the Tent because the cloud was on it. It would seem to mean that this is the perpetual state of the Tent - with the cloud resting on it. Then we read in Bamidbar that Moses did enter the Tent. So we wonder how he could if the cloud was always on it. So we go back to our verse and read the second half again (the third verse that reconciles the contradiction). Now we read it: "And Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting when ('ki') ( not 'because') the cloud rested on it." The word 'ki' can mean 'because' but it can also mean 'when.' (see Rashi Exodus 15:19). Now it means 'when' we understand that only when the cloud is on the Tent Moses cannot enter it.

So the reconciliation of the apparent contradiction is derived from re-reading and re-translating it the second part of our verse. With this new way of looking at our verse, the question Rashi asks is a good question and the contradiction a true one and the third phrase helps us better understand the Torah's meaning.

Shabbat Shalom
Avigdor Bonchek

What's Bothering Rashi?" is a production of "The Institute for the Study of Rashi."

Look for "What's Bothering Rashi? on Megillas Esther" at your book store. Enjoy a deeper understanding of the Megillah, of Rashi and of the midrashim on the Megillah.


Back to This Week's Parsha | Previous Issues


This article is provided as part of Shema Yisrael Torah Network
Permission is granted to redistribute electronically or on paper,
provided that this notice is included intact.

For information on subscriptions, archives, and
other Shema Yisrael
Classes, send mail to parsha@shemayisrael.co.il

http://www.shemayisrael.co.il
Jerusalem, Israel
732-370-3344