בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
Painting by: Baruch Nachshon z”l
This parsha culminates the parshiot that discuss the building of the Mishkan, the prototype of the Beit Hamikdash. This painting describes the renewal of the Beit Hamikdash and Zion as the title verse written here suggests. We see the idea of renewal from the greenery around the Beit Hamikdash and also from the sprouting plant surrounding tnhe Beit Hamikdash. This “plant” has seven branches clearly alluding to the Menora which is also described in the Torah in vegetative terms (“flowers” etc.).
We also see dualisms in this painting as can be seen in the two birds facing each other, resembling the keruvim in the Holy of Holies. We also see two candles hinting to the connection of Shabbat to the Beit Hamikdash, as one pertains to the holiness in time and the other to the holiness of location. Moreover, just as the keruvim and birds hint to the theme of peace so too our Sages enacted the lights of Shabbat in order to bring peace into the Jewish household. We also see the theme of duality in the two Hasidim blowing the shoifar from the right and left of the painting.
We see images of birds/lights flocking to the Beit Hamikdash, as in the pilgrimage to the Beit Hamikdash, hinting to the lifting of souls described in scripture to lights and also the depiction of birds carries the idea of the uplifting of souls as in flight by the spiritual light of the Beit Hamikdash.
The Arizal talks about the Beit Hamikdash being called “bayit” which has the numerical value of “or” – light – twice, hinting to two supernal “lights” that are connected to the Beit Hamikdash. The word “hadash” has the numerical value of the word “Zion” twice. The Arizal also explains that it was through King David’s spiritual work in Hebron that he achieved the spiritual success in paving the way for the Beit Hamikdash uin Jerusalem. Also according to the Arizal the word Zion can refer to two cities, Jerusalem or Hebron, two focal points of the Holy Presence. All this gathered we gain a deeper meaning of the prayer mentioned in this painting “or hadash al Zion tair inizkeh kulanu leoro.” “Or” – light – is mentioned twice in this parayer perhaps hinting to the light of Hebron and Jerusalem which will bring a renewal “hadash” of Zion – a term used for both Jerusalem and Hebron, bringing the redemption.