In the section we read today, which connects the end of Parshas Vayakhel with the beginning of Pekudei, the Torah recounts the construction of the Kiyor, the copper basin used by the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet before performing the service in the Mishkan.
Initially it seems that the copper for the Kiyor would come from the general copper donations brought by the Jewish people among the materials for the Mishkan. However, the verse states that the basin and its base were made from mar’os hatzov’os—the mirrors of the women.
Rashi explains that these were copper mirrors used by the Jewish women to adorn themselves. When the women brought these mirrors as a donation for the Mishkan, Moshe Rabbeinu at first hesitated to accept them. He felt that such items, used for personal beautification, might be connected with the yetzer hara.
However, Hashem told Moshe to accept them and even explained that these mirrors were more precious than all the other donations. During the harsh slavery in Egypt, the Jewish men were exhausted from the back-breaking labor and had little spirit left. The righteous Jewish women would bring them food and encouragement. Using these mirrors, they would lovingly awaken the bond between husband and wife, strengthening them and bringing new life into the world.
Through these mirrors the Jewish women brought forth countless Jewish children, the “hosts of Hashem.” This is why the mirrors are called mar’os hatzov’os—the mirrors that produced the great armies of Israel.
It was therefore fitting that these mirrors were used to create the Kiyor. The Kiyor itself was connected with bringing peace between husband and wife in the case of the Sotah waters, restoring harmony within the home.
From this we learn an important lesson. Sometimes something that may appear at first to be merely physical—or even questionable—can be transformed and elevated for holiness when used with the proper intention. The greatest holiness can emerge from the transformation of the physical.
This idea also relates to the power of raising Jewish families and nurturing Jewish continuity. Even when people themselves may not have had every opportunity for full Torah education, the children and grandchildren they raise can become part of Hashem’s “army,” living lives of Torah and mitzvos.
Today we dedicate these words of Torah in memory of Reuven ben Shlomo Redlich and Feivel ben Yosef Ephraim. May their souls have an aliyah, and may their merit bring blessings to their families.
May we soon merit the coming of Moshiach and the time of techiyas hameisim, when all souls will be reunited במהרה בימינו.