View #22 - Yeshiva of Central Queens

UPCOMING
EVENTS
Candle Lighting: 5:36
Havdallah: 6:40
Motzai Shabbat.,
March 9
Set Clocks Ahead
One Hour
Sun., March 10
JHS Parent-Child
Learning Program
YCQ 72nd
Anniversary Dinner
Mon., March 11
3:45 Dismissal K-8
PT Conferences
Tues., March 12
Rosh Chodesh
Nissan
Wed., March 13
Science Fair
6th Grade 7PM
Sun., March 17
Final JHS Parent-
Child Learning
Fri., March 22
No Sessions
Pesach Vacation
YCQ Family News
Mazal Tov to Abie
Veroba and Daniel
Sonbolian on their
Bar Mitzvah!
Mazal Tov to
Gabriella Gazal and
Rebecca Shedlo on
their Bat Mitzvah!
V O L U M E 1 1 N U M B E R 2 2 M A R C H 8 2 0 1 3 2 6 A D A R 5 7 7 3
Parshiot Vayakhel Pekudei/Parshat Hachodesh By: Rabbi Landsman
The second half of Sefer Shemot deals almost exclusively with the construction of the Mishkan.
Although physically the construction described in Vayakhel-Pekudei followed precisely the commands in
Terumah and Tetzaveh, there was a fundamental distinction between the original plan of the Mishkan and
its actual implementation. Rav Tzvi Sobolofsky, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva University brilliantly explains the
Parshiot saying:
Following the order of the pesukim, the mitzvah of building the mishkan preceded the cheit
haeigel, whereas the construction followed the cheit. A mishkan built after the cheit was different in nature
than one that would have been built before the cheit. The area of the mishkan endowed with the highest
level of kedusha was the kodesh hakodashim, which housed the aron containing the luchot. While the
aseret hadibrot appeared on both the first and second luchot, the essence of the two sets was different. The
first set is described as "v'haluchot maaseh Elokim - the work of Hashem", whereas the second set was
carved out by Moshe Rabbeinu, with only the letters being carved out by Hashem.
This distinction was reflected in the nature of the kedushat mishkan. The "first" mishkan that
would have been built if not for the cheit would have housed the luchot of "maaseh Elokim". The kedusha
would have emanated from Hashem. The "Second" mishkan that actually was built required human participation
and its kedusha was initiated by Bnei Yisrael and it only subsequently received the blessing from
Above. After all the human input, Moshe Rabbeinu could only pray that "yehi ratzon shetishre shechina
b'maase yedeichem - let the divine presence rest upon your work" (Rashi Shemot 39:43). This mishkan was
not "maaseh yedei hashem", but rather "maaseh yedeichem". The luchot of "maaseh Elokim" had been
transformed into the luchot of "psol lecha" - stones carved by a human being that would be written upon
by Hashem.
Rav Sobolofsky continues saying that two distinct types of sanctity are one stemming from Hashem
and the other indicated by man. This is a common theme in halacha. Shabbat receives its sanctity
directly from hashem, while yom tov requires the Jewish people to endow it with holiness by declaring the
new moon.
These two models of mishkan materialized in the two batei mikdashot. The first Beit Hamikdash
resembled the original plan for the mishkan - present were the shechina, the urim vetumim, and prophecy.
It had all the qualities of "maaseh Elokim ". On the other hand, the second Beit Hamikdash, devoid of the
urim vetumim and nevuah, was built by the Jewish people and endowed with sanctity through human effort
and fervent prayer that the shechina only rested upon it to a lesser degree.
Each of the two batei mikdashot had a unique downfall which undermined its source of holiness.
The Beit Hamikdash of "maaseh Elokim", whose sanctity stemmed directly from the shechina, could not
conceivably last in the presence of idolatry, just as the avodah zarah of the cheit haeigel destroyed the
plans to construct a mishkan which would house the luchot that were carved by Hashem.
The destruction of the second Beit Hamikdash was precipitated by divisiveness within the Jewish people,
characterized by sinat chinam. A Beit Hamikdash that owed its existence and sanctity to the Jewish people
can only exist when the Jewish people are united, not when they are split by baseless hatred. Our ability to
create kedushat hamikdash is conditional on our acting as a united people.
As we begin chodesh Nissan, may we merit to be redeemed as in the days of Yetziat Mitzrayim, and once
again see the Beit Hamikdash and be privileged to serve Hashem as in the days of old. Shabbat Shalom!
Parent Teacher Conferences Information: Monday, 11, 2013
First Grade - 5:30-9:30 PM by appointment in your child’s classroom
2-204, 2-207 - 5:30-9:30 PM by appointment in your child’s classroom
Third Grade - 5:30-9:30 PM by appointment in your child’s classroom
5-302, 5-303 - 5:30-9:30 PM by appointment in your child’s classroom
JHS Girls - 6:00-9:00PM first come - first serve in the lunchroom

YCQ Annual Book Fair
This past Tuesday and Wednesday we had our annual Book Fair. Students
were able to attend this special fair organized by the PA to pick out and
purchase age level appropriate books with the help of their teachers. The
fair was still open on Wednesday night for those parents attending parent
teacher conferences. Thank you so much to Mrs. Marjorie Wein and her
team of parent volunteers for the amazing Book Fair!
Names Not Numbers Trip to The Museum Heritage
“Names Not Numbers” continued this week, beginning Monday with a trip to the Museum of
Jewish Heritage. Participants were welcomed to the museum and given a private tour of the
Holocaust exhibits, with special attention given to survivor testimonials. After a delicious
lunch was served, students heard from Dr. Paul Radensky, educational director. He spoke on
the topic of ethical wills. On Tuesday, two more survivors were interviewed by our students
as the movie making continued. On Friday, students began the editing process, learning how
to take their raw film footage and begin shaping it into a movie.

Amazing Ruach at the JHS Girls Shabbaton
This past Shabbat the JHS girls enjoyed a wonderful shabbaton at the Raleigh Hotel.
Upon their arrival the girls participated in activities including a talent show with Morah
Ivgi and swimming. Pre-Shabbat ruach was a blast. After Kabbalat Shabbat, during the
first Shabbat meal, everyone heard beautiful Divrei Torah. The guest speaker, Mrs. Devorah
Kigel, Noted Lecturer at NYU, Rutgers, Touro College, EMET, Discovery, AishConnections,
and Manhattan Jewish Experience, shared Divrei Torah and astounded the audience
with her amazing stories of her becoming a Baalat Teshuva. The girls enjoyed an
oneg Shabbat and watched their morot perform skits. The girls enjoyed a learning program
and games with their counselors on Shabbat morning. On Motzai Shabbat the girls
had fun singing and dancing during their ruach filled melave malka. Thank you to all
the morot, chaperones and students for making this the best Shabbaton ever!
Kindergarten Visits the Matzah Bakery
This past Monday, the Kindergarten visited the Chabbad Children’s Matzah Bakery.
There, they experienced the process of baking matzah from separating the wheat, to
mixing the flour, rolling the dough and even making the holes. While the matzah was baking,
the children made a Pesach craft. They created a beautiful drinking cup that will be
sent home for them to use on Pesach. When they returned to school, the children got to
eat the delicious matzot that they baked!

YCQ SPECIAL SUNDAY LEARNING PROGRAM
PLEASE JOIN US THIS SUNDAY
MARCH 10, 2013
9 AM - 11 AM
28 ADAR 5773
FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL
LEARNING PROGRAM FROM
SPEAKER:
Rabbi Pearl, JHS Rebbe
TOPIC:
Tziztit to Dye for/
The Mitza of Techelet

ATTENTION ALL DINNER PARTICIPANTS:
We look forward to greeting you personally at the Yeshiva’s 72nd Anniversary
Dinner which will take place THIS SUNDAY, March 10, at the Sands of
Atlantic Beach. The reception will begin promptly at 4:30 P.M. followed by
dinner at 6:00 P.M.
We hope you enjoy the evening.
Reize Sipzner
Dinner Chairperson
P.S. If you are unable to attend, please call the Yeshiva before Friday, March 8. After
Friday, contact Mrs. Reize Sipzner: (917) 365-4321 or
Rabbi Kovitz: (917) 860-4758
DIRECTIONS
To The Sands, Atlantic Beach
From Brooklyn
Belt Parkway east to Exit 19, Route 878 Nassau Expressway. Continue on
Route 878, which becomes Rockaway Boulevard. Continue on Rockaway
Blvd. about 1 ½ miles going toward Long Beach and the Atlantic Beach
Bridge. Bear right and Rockaway Blvd. will again become 878 Nassau Expressway
(watch for overhead sign “RT 878”). After crossing toll bridge, bear
left around the traffic circle and continue to The Sands, approximately one
mile on the right.
From New York City and Queens
Long Island Expressway to Exit 22, Grand Central Parkway. Grand Central
Parkway to Exit 13S, Van Wyck Expressway/JFK Airport. Take the Van Wyck
Expressway to Exit 1, Route 878 East, Nassau Expressway (Note that Exit 1 is
a left lane exit from the Van Wyck Expressway. After exiting, move immediately
to the far right lane.) Continue on 878 as above.
From Eastern Long Island
Meadowbrook Parking south to Exit M10 – Loop Parkway. At the end of Loop
Parkway, bear right onto Lido Boulevard, which becomes Park Avenue in Long
Beach, and then becomes Park Street in Atlantic Beach. Turn left at the end of
Park Street onto Oswego Avenue. Proceed one block to Beach Street. Then
turn right and proceed to The Sands on the left.

Parsha Primer
שדוח
#490 March 9, 2013 VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI
ג"עש ת רדאב
ז"כ ד"סב
PARSHA IN A NUTSHELL- השרפה םוכיס
In our parshiot Bnei Yisrael carry out Hashem’s command
to build the Mishkan.
Vayakhel - Bnei Yisrael donated the various materials
that were needed to produce the Mishkan. At some
point the workers turned to Moshe and told him that
they already had more materials than necessary.
Moshe commanded Bnei Yisrael to stop bringing the
materials. The leaders of the tribes donated the
precious stones that were needed for the clothing of
the Cohen Gadol.
The parsha details the building of the Mishkan
and its vessels. Bnei Yisrael prepared the structure of
the Mishkan, (the beams that formed the walls, the
coverings and the curtains that separated each
section) and the vessels: the aron, the shulchan
(showbread table), the menorah, the golden altar, the
copper altar and the washstand (kiyor).
Pekudei - The funds used to build the Mishkan were
carefully counted and accounted for, and the garments
of the Cohanim were produced.
Moshe blessed the workers who built the
Mishkan when he reviewed the various items, and saw
that they were all built as Hashem specified.
Hashem commanded Moshe to put the
Mishkan together (on Rosh Chodesh Nissan,
almost a year after leaving Mitzrayim), and to
anoint and sanctify the vessels and the Cohanim.
Moshe did everything as Hashem commanded,
and placed the vessels in the Mishkan.
The Divine Presence settled upon the Mishkan,
bringing the building of the Mishkan to a successful
conclusion.
VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI-HACHODESH 5773
Candle lighting: Havdala:
In loving memory of my grandmother
Esther bat Yehuda Leib ל " ז ב"סשת ןסינ 'ב
Parsha Primer (2013) 5773 Tzvi Harris, Halacha Yomit. Graphics from various
clip art collections. Biblical translations based on “The Living Torah” by Rabbi
Aryeh Kaplan z”l. For information on this and other educational programs please
contact: Tzvi Harris 972-54-6584409 (Israel). tzvi@halachayomit.com
Please visit our website: www.halachayomit.com
ירפמ
השרפה
This week we read the final two parshiot of Sefer Shmot, Vayakhel and Pekudei. We'll also read the final of the four
special parshiot, Parshat Hachodesh, from a second sefer Torah, and pray that the new month of Nissan (Rosh
Chodesh on Tuesday) will be a good month. In honor of the completion of the Mishkan described in our parsha,
Mitzvah of the Week will review a brief history of the wanderings of the Mishkan. Middah of the Week will discuss
the mitzvah of tzedaka, a mitzvah that can seem difficult at times. Shabbat Shalom!
Shmot 35:1-40:38
תבש ליל
ה-ידוקפ-להקיו
The History of the Mishkan
P ars ha Pr im er VAYA K HE L-PE K UD E I - HA C H OD E S H 57 73 1
הינש הדועס
MITZVAH OF THE WEEK עובשה תווצמ
In the year following yetziat Mitzrayim (the exodus from
Egypt) Bnei Yisrael were instructed to build the Mishkan.
Bnei Yisrael served Hashem in the Mishkan for 479 years.
This week we’ll review the history of the Mishkan.
The Desert and Gilgal
Bnei Yisrael moved 42 times during their stay in the
desert. The Mishkan wasn’t built yet during the early travels
of Bnei Yisrael in the desert, but from its creation it moved
with them 31 times during the 39 years of its existence in the
desert. Upon being led into Eretz C’naan by Yehoshua, the
Mishkan was set up in Gilgal for the duration of the 14 years
that it took to conquer and divide the land.
Shilo
The longest stretch of Mishkan history began when the
Mishkan moved from Gilgal to Shilo. Yehoshua set up the
Mishkan in Shilo, and it remained there throughout the period
of the shoftim (judges). The prophet Shmuel (Samuel) was
born after his mother prayed in the Mishkan for a child, and
was blessed by Eli the Cohen Gadol.
The Mishkan took on a special form in Shilo, when its
wooden walls were replaced with walls of stone. Everything
else remained the same. The remains of the Mishkan at
Shilo are part of a fascinating archaeological excavation that
is located near modern-day Shilo. The residents of today’s
Shilo built their Beit Knesset in a manner that resembles the
Mishkan, and even named it “Mishkan Shilo.” The Mishkan
remained at Shilo for 369 years!
Nov and Giv’on
The final two locations of the Mishkan were at Nov and
Giv’on. Both of these places play prominent roles in the Bible.
Together, the Mishkan resided for 57 years in these places.
Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon)
Finally, 480 years after leaving Mitzrayim, King
Solomon dedicated the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim.
The materials of the Mishkan that could be used in building
the Beit Hamikdash were used, and the remaining materials
were stored in secret tunnels under the Beit Hamikdash. This
magnificent structure replaced the Mishkan and was built on
the site that later housed the second Beit Hamikdash, and
upon which we pray the third Beit Hamikdash will soon be
built. According to the Tosefot Yom Tov, the animal skins
that were used for the Mishkan will be used once again as
part of the third Beit Hamikdash.
Special thanks to Shlomo Viner for helping me with the historical details

Open Your Hand…
תישילש הדועס
"Devorah, what's this week's parsha about?"
"We learned about it in class, it's about the Mishkan
again. There's a summary of all the materials that Bnei Yisrael
donated for the Mishkan," Devorah answered. "The materials
that were used are listed with the quantity that was used."
Miriam thought about this and then said, "I don't get it. If
all the pieces of the Mishkan were already completed why does
the parsha have to list the materials? Once the building was
finished the quantity of materials used was old news!"
"I can think of one possibility," Devorah said, thinking
out loud. "We recently finished building a new bet knesset in our
neighborhood. There was a celebration when we moved in, and
a list of all the donations gathered for the building fund was
publicized. My mother told me that it was to show appreciation
for all the people who donated money for the building."
"If it's true for a bet knesset," Miriam said, "then it's also
true for the Mishkan. Hashem listed the 'funds' gathered for the
Mishkan to honor Bnei Yisrael who donated them."
"It's not always easy to give tzedaka," said Devorah.
"Sometimes I have to convince myself to give tzedaka from the
money that I've saved up, because I'd rather keep it for myself."
"That's why we should appreciate the generosity of
those who donate money. I'm sure it's just as difficult for them to
give tzedaka as it is for you or me," Miriam explained.
Many years ago two wealthy and famous Jews lived in
Jerusalem. One of them was Mr. Moshe Wittenberg, and the
The three picture riddles
represent pesukim, mitzvot or
personalities from the parsha.
3
2
All of this
week’s riddles
are from Maftir
Hachodesh
1
1
other one was Mr. Broide. There are still
neighborhoods in Jerusalem that are named "Batei
Wittenberg" and "Batei Broide" after these two
generous men. These wealthy men originally built both
groups of houses for the poor of Jerusalem.
Once, Moshe Wittenberg was overheard
speaking about Mr. Broide. "Mr. Broide might give
more money to charity than I do, but I'm sure that I will
receive the larger reward in the world to come!"
His friends didn't understand.
"I'll explain myself," Moshe Wittenberg
continued. "Mr. Broide has a big heart. When he sees a
poor person headed his way he feels compassion for the
poor and gives whatever he can. Broken and destitute
people approach him, and he always empathizes with
them and provides for them."
"I'm different. I'm stingy and not so
compassionate by nature. When I see the gabbaim
(those responsible for collecting and allocating
tzedaka funds) approaching my heart starts to beat
quickly out of fear that they're coming to speak to me.
When they knock on the door I break out in a sweat.
When they explain what they're collecting for I reach
into my lock box with trembling hands and pull out
some money to give them."
Mr. Wittenberg finished his explanation, "My
natural inclination is not to give tzedaka. That’s why I
think that I will receive the larger reward!"
Sheal Avicha V’yagedcha, stories of Rabbi Shalom
Schwadron ל"צז, the Maggid of Jerusalem
S e d r a S t a t s
Note: In this section we refer to the Parsha as a Sedra, and the
term Parsha refers to the sections separated by spaces in the
Torah.
Vayakhel * 22nd of the Torah's 54 sedras; 10th of 11 in Shmot
* 13 Parshiot; 7 open, 6 closed * 122 pesukim - ranks 17 th , tied
with VaEtchanan & Ki Tavo; shorter than both in words & letters
* 1558 words - ranks 24th tied with Vayeshev, * 6181 letters -
ranks 21 st * Overall, Vayakhel ranks 22nd in the Torah
* Vayakhel contains 1 mitzvah of the 613, a prohibition
Pekudei * 23rd of the Torah's 54 sedras 11th of 11 in Shmot
* 20 Parshiot; 7 open, 13 closed * 92 pesukim - ranks 40th *
1182 words - ranks 42 nd * 4432 letters - ranks 44th (10th)
* Overall, Pekudei ranks 43rd in the Torah; it is a short sedra
* Pekudei is always "involved" in the Four Parshiot; it is the only
sedra with that distinction. * Pekudei contains no mitzvot,
although it does "contain" several mitzvot related to the Mishkan
and Cohen's garments, which have been previously counted. It is
one of 17 sedras without mitzvot.
Vayakhel-Pekudei is the first of 7 pairs that are sometimes read
together. Combined, V-P has 214 pesukim, more than all single
sedras, and more than all other doubles, except for Matot-Mas'ei.
In most 12-month years, Vayakhel and Pekudei are read
together, and usually with Parshat HaChodesh, as they are this
year * The maftir for HaChodesh contains 1 closed parsha, * 20
pesukim, * 313 words, * 1207 letters, * 9 mitzvot - 5 positive
and 4 prohibitions
Thanks to Torah Tidbits for permission to reprint this column
ANSWERS TO PICTURE RIDDLES FOR
KI TISA
All three riddles last week were from the maftir, Parshat Para.
1. "The cohen shall take a piece of cedar wood (erez), some hyssop (eizov), and some crimson [wool] (shnee tola'at),
and throw it into the burning cow" (19:6). 2. "Every open vessel that does not have an airtight seal shall be unclean"
(19:15). 3. One of the dinim of the para aduma is that it has to be completely red (temima). Two red hairs disqualify
it. I couldn't color the remainder red because the sheet is in black and white, but you can see the two black hairs.
P ars ha Pr im er VAYA K HE L-PE K UD E I - HA C H OD E S H 57 73 2

SHIUR
The lander College for Men Alumni Association
and Department of Community Programming Present:
A Community-Wide Pre-PesACh LeArning
initiAtive With the rosh hAyeshivA
HaRav Yonason Sacks, Shlit”a
Sunday, March 10, 2013 9:00 - 9:30 am Breakfast | 9:30 - 10:15 am Shiur
lander College for Men 7531 150th St., Flushing, NY 11367
“,urhjk ,uscgn”
Experiencing Yitzias Mitzrayim
Wine
For Men o nly
rSVP (no cost):
joshua.sturm@touro.edu
aryeh.young@touro.edu

The YCQ Annual Book Fair!

JHS Girls Shabbaton!

The Kindergarten Visits the Matza Factory!