26 Mar Parashat Shemini – The Importance of Preperation

Parashat Shemini begins with the Pasuk, ‘VaYehi Bayom HaShemini’, literally meaning, ‘and it was on the eighth day’. The Torah tells us that this eighth day was actually the first day that the Mishkan was opened for business. The question is asked as to why the Torah refers to this first day as the eighth day. Seemingly, the Pasuk should open up and say ‘VaYehi Bayom HaRishon.’

Rav David Feinstein, son of Rav Moshe Feinstein, gives an interesting insight on this. Rav Feinstein points out that from here we learn that in the Jewish religion, preparing for a Mitzvah is of great importance and itself has value. The seven days prior to the eighth day when the Mishkan opened, were the days that Moshe Rabbeinu worked with others to prepare the Mishkan. The Torah is teaching us here that it is not only the Mitzvah that has value. The preparation for the Mitzvah also has value. Preparation for Tefilah, or preparation for Shabbat, or preparation for Mikveh, are all themselves full of value even though the act itself is not the Mitzvah.

In this Parasha we read how Moshe Rabbeinu worked preparing the Mishkan for seven days. Those days should not be disregarded or unnoticed. The Torah is emphasizing the importance of the prior seven days when it says ‘VaYehi Bayom HaShemini’. Preparation is important and has value. We must prepare for our Mitzvot and not jump into them haphazardly.

Now, as we enter the season of Pesach, let us prepare properly. Do not wait for the last minute. Make sure to prepare the proper size cup for the 4 cups of wine. Make sure to buy the Matzah in advance. Clean appropriately and don’t wait for the last minute. There is value in preparation for a Mitzvah. Hence, ‘Vayehi Bayom HaShemini’.