This week’s parshah is Ki Sisa (Tisa), which contains several significant concepts and stories.
First, we have the mitzvah of giving the half-shekel yearly. In contemporary terms, this refers to giving charity.
The second passage speaks of the laver in the Temple, which was meant to purify the Kohanim who served there. As the saying goes, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” For us, this means that if we want Godliness, we must keep ourselves clean—physically, financially, morally and spiritually.
Next, the Torah discusses making the anointing oil. Reb Noson writes that this oil is called the oil of MishChah, a word closely related to MaShiaCH. Mashiach will rectify the entire world. How? The Prophet Isaiah (Ch. 11) teaches that Mashiach will be blessed with an absolutely pure sense of smell, which will allow him to adjudicate properly. Simply put, he will be able to “smell out” each person and determine whether they are honest or not, ensuring true justice. Imagine if we had judges like that today to clear up the falsehoods that pervade the planet! Rebbe Nachman further teaches (Likutey Moharan I, 2) that Mashiach’s sense of smell is actually his pure prayers! His prayers will conquer the world and bring about the truth and faith we sorely need.
Following this, the Torah details the ingredients of the Ketoret (Incense Sacrifice), which was offered daily on the golden altar. The Zohar and ARI write that the Ketoret is so powerful that it ascends directly to HaShem Himself! It has the unique ability to elevate fallen souls from even the lowest levels.
After the Ketoret, the Torah introduces the main contractors who built the Sanctuary and the materials required for its construction. This is followed by a short passage about observing Shabbat.
The remainder of the parshah recounts the tragic episode of the Golden Calf—how Moshe Rabbeinu secured HaShem’s forgiveness for that sin, and how we too can invoke forgiveness even today. It was at this moment that HaShem revealed to Moshe the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, promising that whenever they are invoked, they will always be answered. Rabbi Nachman of Tcherin, author of many books on Rebbe Nachman’s teachings, writes:
“Know! That the 13 Attributes are Infinite, because HaShem is Infinite. Therefore, no matter how low a person may sink into sin, no matter how deeply they fall into the abyss of error and wrongdoing, HaShem’s Mercy is Infinite. Even if a person invokes these Attributes while on a low level and then falls even further, they can ALWAYS ascend from the depths by calling out to the Infinite!”
Have a great Shabbos!
