Rashi comments "It (the Menorah) shall be beaten out (with a hammer), coming out of the solid block (of gold), and he should not make them separately and attach them." Why is it necessary for the Menorah, its decorations and adornments to be constructed as one piece and not be made separately and then connected together?

The Chasam Sofer zt"l answers that the one solid piece from which the Menorah and its decorations are created teaches Klal Yisrael how to properly interpret and expound upon the Torah. In every generation there are people who attempt to gain understanding of the Torah by drawing upon commentaries and examples from secular literature or works from Jewish heretics. The Chasam Sofer declares that the only source for interpreting and understanding situations and dialogues which occur in the Torah is the Midrashim and words of Chazal.

This is alluded to by the Torah in its command that the adornments and decorations (goblets, knobs and flowers), which symbolize the interpretations of the Torah, must be created together with the Menorah - the symbol of Torah. It is imperative that all explanations and insights into the Torah are derived from sacred, holy works and not be based on foreign sources.

In connection with the creation of the golden calf the Torah relates, "The entire people unburdened themselves of the golden rings that were in their ears, and brought them to Ahron" (Ki Sisa 32,3). The Medrash Tanchuma (Yoshon) states that Hashem said that the gold which Bnei Yisroel will donate for the Mishkan would be an atonement for the gold they used in the making of the golden calf. Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt"l asks, why did the exoneration for the sin of the golden calf have to be accomplished through the use of gold, specifically, in the building of the Mishkan? Could forgiveness not have been achieved through the building of the Mishkan with other materials?

The Ramban (Ki Sisa 32,1) explains that when Bnei Yisroel created the golden calf their intention was l'sheim shamayim (for the sake of Heaven). They were motivated by a true desire to obtain a replacement for Moshe Rabbeinu, so that the Shechina would continue to rest upon them and in their midst. This idea is supported by Moshe's statement to Hashem that "…This people has sinned a great sin" (32,31). The use of the word "great" by Moshe is not a description of the sin but a characterization of the pure and lofty intentions that Bnei Yisroel had when they were fashioning the golden calf. In fact, this virtuous intention was demonstrated by Bnei Yisroel in their usage of gold - a pure, unadulterated element - in forming the golden calf, which symbolizes the purity of their mindset during its creation.

Although Hashem revealed to Bnei Yisroel that the construction of the golden calf was not the proper vehicle by which to serve Him, He did concede that their motives were pure. To illustrate this concession, Hashem commanded Bnei Yisroel to use these same lofty motives in the building of the Mishkan by using gold as a material in its formation. The gold itself was not what obtained forgiveness for Bnei Yisroel, rather the ideal that gold represented - pure, untainted, elevated service to Hashem, is what gained Bnei Yisroel absolution. By directing these pure motivations, signified by the use of gold, towards appropriate service to Hashem, Bnei Yisroel counteracted their earlier, improper use of gold and thereby received atonement for the sin of the golden calf.

TABLE TALK

THE DILEMMA
(What is permitted to do in this situation?)

Boruch is uncertain whether or not the previous owner is aware that the warranty can be cashed in. If Boruch is interested in the previous owner signing over the warranty to him for free, must Boruch inform the previous owner that the warranty can be cashed in?

(Consult your Rav for a proper halachic ruling)

Last week's clues and answer: : I insure a restful day; I am generally of no use; I prevent you from "carrying on"; I am a touchy subject - Muktzeh

Congratulations to Mrs. Devorah Ben Gedalyahu, Aliza Krainess, Chezky Millstein, Mr. Neil Parks and Avi Zuckerman

TORAH RIDDLE

When is it permissible to eat any type of food without first making a brocha or responding amen to another's brocha?

(Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue)

Last week's question and answer: : Is it possible for a person to fulfill the obligation of eating the Friday night seudah without making Hamotzi and eating bread during the seudah? Yes. If someone washed his hands, made Hamotzi, ate bread and began eating a meal on Erev Shabbos and the meal continued into Shabbos, the person is only required to interrupt the meal in order to make Kiddush. He would not have to make Hamotzi or even eat bread during the Shabbos seudah.

Sorry, no congratulations this week.

THE KOLLEL FAMILY

MAZEL TOV

Mr. and Mrs. Tuvia Bennett on the engagement of their son, Ezra

Rabbi and Mrs. Mordechai Kaplovitz on the birth of a grandson

Rabbi and Mrs. Sruly Wolf on the birth of a granddaughter

Mr. Harry Brown upon the passing of his mother

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

The Cedar-Green Community Kollel Friday Evening Parsha Classes will convene this week at 8:00

*Beachwood………………Contact Rabbi Katz 360-9153

*The Huntington-Green Apartments

Rabbi Levi's group……….Contact Rabbi Levi 381-1617
Rabbi Nadoff's group……Contact Rabbi Nadoff 291-2692
Rabbi Newman's group….Contact Rabbi Newman 381-4497
*University Heights………..Contact Rabbi Charlop 291-8981

(Please inform us if you wish to have a happy or solemn occasion or a community or personal event posted on the Community Bulletin Board - Thank you.)

To sponsor an issue of Oneg Shabbos, please contact Leib Chaim Krainess, Director of Kollel Development at (216) 559-0638 or gkrainess@adelphia.net.
To receive Oneg Shabbos by e-mail, please provide us with your e-mail address by contacting us at (216) 559-0638 or gkrainess@adelphia.net