10 Mar PEKUDEI: “BORROWING” ON G-D’S ACCOUNT

We read in Parashat
Pekudeh (40:2) of
G-d’s command
to Moshe that the
completed Mishkan
should be erected on Rosh Hodesh Nissan,
the first day of the month of Nissan.
The Midrash tells that in truth, the artisans
built the various parts of the Mishkan very
quickly, and the Mishkan was ready to be
assembled already earlier, on the 25th of
Kislev, a little over two months after the
work began. However, Hashem decided
to postpone the assembly of the Mishkan
until the month of Nissan, due to the
unique significance of this month. The
Midrash continues that the 25th of Kislev
“protested,” as it were, objecting to its
having been denied the privilege of being
a special day, the day of the Mishkan’s
inauguration. Hashem assured this day
that it will be compensated – and, sure
enough, many centuries later, the 25th of
Kislev became the first day of the joyous
holiday of Hanukah, celebrating the Jews’
miraculous triumph over the Greeks and
the rededication of the Bet Ha’mikdash,
which the Greeks had defiled. The day of
25 Kislev was at first denied its holiday

– but it was later compensated with
“interest.” Whereas the first of Nissan,
commemorating the inauguration of the
temporary Mishkan, is not marked by a
great deal of fanfare, the 25th of Kislev
became a day of great festivity observed
by Jews around the world for millennia.
The Midrash’s comments bring to mind
a different Midrashic account, regarding
the fish in the Yam Suf. When Hashem
drowned the 600 Egyptian horsemen who
had pursued Beneh Yisrael into the sea,
the fish were overjoyed and prepared to
indulge in the robust feast that had just
been presented to them. But just as they
were set to eat, the bodies of the Egyptian
horsemen were sent ashore. Beneh Yisrael
feared that the soldiers had not drowned,
but rather came ashore, and thus still posed
a threat. In order to allay the people’s
concerns, Hashem had the sea expel the
remains of the Egyptian warriors onto
the shore where they were standing, so
they would see them and know that their
pursuers were indeed dead, and they were
thus no longer in danger. The fish were,
naturally, disappointed over the sudden
loss of the large amounts of food that they
thought they would soon be enjoying.

Hashem repaid the fish years
later, during the battle waged by
Beneh Yisrael in the times of the
prophetess Deborah against the
army of Sisera. During this war,
Hashem drowned the enemy’s
900 chariots in the Kishon River.
As compensation for having lost
the 600 Egyptian horsemen – the
fish were given 900 Canaanite
soldiers.
This is a reason given for the
custom that many have to ensure to
eat fish on Shabbat. Many people
might have serious misgivings
about closing their businesses on
Shabbat, or about taking off from
work, worrying about the loss
of income. The fish reminds them that
Hashem always repays in full – and with
“interest” – for the sacrifices we make for
Misvot. Whatever expense or loss we incur
for the sake of a Misva is more than worth
it – because we are guaranteed to receive
much more than we’ve lost.
The Gemara (Besa 15b) teaches that
Hashem tells us: “My children! Borrow on
My account to make the day [of Shabbat]

sacred and trust Me that I will repay.”
Hashem guarantees that all the money we
spend for Shabbat and holidays is being
charged to His account, and He will repay
us in full. And, as we have seen, He not
only repays the money we spend, but also
gives us much more.
Performing Misvot is always the greatest
investment we can ever make, one which
guarantees to bring us the most profitable
returns.