People are succumbing, people are suffering.

In our personal world we are so frustrated.

We want so desperately to daven in Shul once again. We miss our chevra, our learning. We yearn to celebrate another beautiful Seder surrounded by our greater family, but it is seemingly not in the cards for this year. 

We just celebrated Rosh Chodesh Nissan. It is not only the entree to Pesach, but a historically significant day in its own right. It was the day the Mishkan was established as the residence of the Divine Presence.

We are taught that in the short time of a mere three months the Mishkan was completed and ready to go. From the day after Yom Kippur, after receiving the Tablets anew, they were commanded to build a sanctuary as testament to G-d having forgiven them for the Sin of the Golden Calf, expressing His desire to dwell in their midst once again. With great dispatch and hope they put their newfound skills and talents to work, throwing themselves wholeheartedly to the task at hand, finishing the construction of the Mishkan with its many intricate details and vessels by the twenty fifth day of the month of Kislev.

We can only imagine the aura of excitement and anticipation they must have felt as they began to put the Mishkan into function longing to greet the return of the Divine Presence into their camp.

Yet despite all their aspirations the Mishkan and its components remained piled neatly gathering dust as they awaited to hear word as to when they should begin the setup and implementation of its service. Some began to murmur with uncertainty regarding Moshe’s worthiness and his ability to bring this project to fruition.

It was first later that it was revealed to them that G-d had all along planned to have the Mishkan erected in the month of Nissan, so as to merge the joy of the initiation of the Mishkan with the happiness associated with the birth of Yitzchok who was born in this month.

If that was the case why weren’t they informed? Why should they be frustrated after all their heightened expectations and arduous efforts? Was their alacrity in fulfilling their goal of providing all the pieces of the Mishkan in so short of a time all for naught?

What was so significant about the joy associated with the birth of Yitzchok specifically that it warranted such a significant delay and the festering of anxiety and disappointment among the nation?

The Tabernacle was to be the vehicle by which to restore a world to its idyllic conditions as it existed in the Garden of Eden prior to the sin. We yearn for that sense of G-d’s presence as it was experienced then. But it must first be discovered and perceived on G-d’s terms and even when we are frustrated that He is obscured.

Avraham and Sarah lived with His presence even when He was not readily visible. Despite their disappointment in not being blessed with a child for nearly a lifetime they never lapsed in the consciousness of the Divine Presence in their lives, nor were they ever despondent.

It was never just about erecting a Mishkan. It was the devotion towards G-d that would give us an even greater sense of the bond that we have.

G-d wanted to see if our resolve would wane were the Mishkan be delayed. He wanted us to echo that same steadfast faith and resultant joy that was evident in a lifetime of unconditional commitment that was the legacy of Avraham and Sarah.

Would the nation succumb to dashed hope by this delay and be easy prey to the cynics who would question their faith, or would we retain our enthusiasm allowing it to grow and find an even greater expression of joy when the month of Nissan, the month laden with ever present hope as evident in the joyous birth of Yitzchok, would arrive?

That pent-up passion and drive that remarkably completed the construction of the Mishkan by the 25th of Kislev, found its expression in the days of the Chashmonaim who also refused to lose their resolve despite the odds stacked up against them. They never gave up despite the many disappointments and merited to rededicate the Mikdash on the 25th of Kislev.

This is precisely our mission today. To maintain our verve and commitment in the performing of the mitzvos, never letting challenge or disappointment to ever quash that passion.

Fascinatingly, the news surrounding the start of the current pandemic was first reported on December 31, 2020. The very first day after Chanukah.

Might there be a message for all of us. G-d is testing our sincerity. Are we only devoted to Him when we have the comforts we are accustomed to, and are able to accomplish the goals we expect to, or is it solely about our connection to the Almighty, that is never contingent on anything but His will and the fulfilling of it no matter the result?

May we persevere despite the challenges and deepen our relationship with Him.

May we merit to see, yet before this Yom Tov of Pesach, the arrival of Moshiach, and be worthy to bring a Korban Pesach in His final and permanent residence - the Beis HaMikdash, in Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh!

באהבה,

צבי יהודה טייכמאן