The Double Ending of Sefer [email protected]

1. Mishkan=Continuation of Har Sinai 2. The double ending of Shemot (Ramban Shemot 15:1), Chart: R. Leibtag

3. Effect of the Clouds ( Leibtag) A) First and foremost, it affects the Mishkan itself, as explained and elaborated upon at length in Sefer . The Sh'china's dwelling upon the Mishkan allows man to approach God and offer korbanot (Vayikra/), forbids one's entry into the Mishkan when one is "tamey" (Shmini, , ), demands a special kapara (atonement) ritual every and forbids the offering of korbanot outside the Mishkan (Acharei-Mot). Finally, this "kedusha" emanates into all three realms of existence: "kedushat adam" (), "kedushat zman" () and "kedushat makom" (). B) Secondly, it affects the "machaneh" - the camp of Israel, as reflected in Sefer Bamidbar. The presence of the Sh'china raises the entire camp of Israel to a higher level, as God travels, as it were, with them. The camp is arranged in such a formation that it surrounds the Mishkan (Bamidbar, ), and Bnei Yisrael travel through the following the anan over the Mishkan (Bha'alotcha). Had Bnei Yisrael not sinned, Sefer Bamidbar would have concluded with the story of their conquest of the Land (, ). Instead, it explains why that generation didn't enter the land (, ), as well as the events of the fortieth year (, Pinchas). One Day in Three Books This structure also explains why the events of the first of Nisan, the day when the Mishkan is first erected, are detailed in three different books instead of just one. 1) In Sefer Shmot (40:1-35), we find the commandment to assemble the Mishkan on the first of Nisan. This concludes the commandment to build the Mishkan as explained in , Tezaveh and . Likewise, Shmot concludes with the dwelling of the Sh'china upon the Mishkan, signaling the Sh'china's returnafter the events of Chet Ha'Egel, as explained in Ki-Tisa. 2) In Sefer Vayikra (9:1-10:7), we find the details of the special korbanot offered on Yom HaShmini. [According to most commentators, this day coincides with the first of Nisan. See, for example, .] Those special korbanot and the other tragic events that occurred that day (the death of Nadav and Avihu) relate to manymitzvot found in Sefer Vayikra. Therefore, that narrative is recorded in Sefer Vayikra, as well. 3) In Sefer Bamidbar (7:1-89), we find the story of the special gift brought by the N'si'im to the Mishkan on the day of its dedication - six wagons and twelve oxen (see 7:1-4 with Rashi). These wagons were used by the Leviim to transport the Mishkan during travel. Therefore, this account appears in Sefer Bamidbar (as are the psukim cited earlier describing the anan - 9:15-23). Hence, although these events all took place on the same day - the first of Nisan - the prefers to record them in three different books, corresponding to the theme of each Sefer.

4.Basic Chiasm of Shemot