09 Mar MIRRORS

In Shmos 38:8 the posuk teaches us that the Kiyor was made out of copper that was originally used by the women as mirrors in Mitzrayim. The Rambam in Hilchos Bais Habchirah 1:20 says that wood or stones that were originally used for a Shul or private use may not be used for the Bais Hamikdash. How were they able to use the copper for the Kiyor from the mirrors that were used for private use?

In 38:25 the posuk says that every wise woman spun the goat’s hair off the goat and donated it to the Mishkan. How were the women able to donate if everything they own belongs to their husbands? How could they donate what did not belong to them?

We can answer the first question by explaining that one may not use something that was used for mundane purposes in its original form, but if the mirrors were transformed and not in the original form, it was allowed.

A second answer is that these mirrors were not considered to have been used for a mundane purpose since the use of Kol, Mareh, and Reyach does not apply regarding me’ilah for hekdesh. Therefore, if the use of the copper was via Mareh, the concept of its use in a mundane way would not apply either.

The last answer to the first question is that since the Kiyor was used to wash the hands and feet of the Kohanim it was able to be made from something mundane.

We can answer the second question in three different ways. The first answer is that the reason the husband gets his wife’s earnings is as a result of the husband providing food for his wife. At that time this takana was not in effect.

The second answer is that even if we will say that the takana was already in effect, we know that if a woman earns extra, that extra money does not go to her husband. Since these women were wise and were able to spin the goat’s hair while on the goat, which is a specialty, it did not belong to the husband

The final answer could be that since the food eaten in the Midbar was Mohn, the men were not the ones giving food for their wives. Because of this, all the work the women did belonged to them, and they were therefore able to donate it.

May we be zocheh to give Tzedaka properly and be zocheh for the Bais Hamikdash Hashlishi.