Parshat Shmini (Vayikra 9:1) which talks about the
dedication of the Mishkan begins with the word “Vayehi” (And it was). “And it
was on the eighth day (bayom haShmini) that Moshe called to Aharon and to his
sons and to the elders of
Megillat Ester also begins with the word “Vayehi”. “And it
was in the days of Achashverosh…”
The Tamud, Megilla 10b states that there is a tradition
passed down to us from Anshei Knesset HaGedola (The Men of the Great Assembly)
that the term “Vayehi” introduces a painful narrative.
According to the Maharsha, “Vay” means woe and “hi” means
mourning.
The Gemara lists painful narratives that come after the word
“Vayehi” including, Vayehi, in the days of Achashverosh, Haman sought to
destroy the Jews. Vayehi, in the days when the Judges judged, Shfot HaShoftim
(Megillat Rut), there was a famine. Vayehi, man began to increase on the earth
(Breisheet 6:1), God saw that the wickedness of man was great. Vayehi, when
they journeyed from the east (Breisheet 11:2) they said let us build a city
(the
The Gemara challenges this assertion by bringing the first
pasuk from Parshat Shmini:
Vayehi, “And it was on the eighth day”. It was taught in a
Braita: On the day of the dedication of the Mishkan, there was much happiness
before God as on the day when the heavens and earth were created.
On the first day of creation it said “Vayehi Erev Vayehi
boker…” It was evening, it was morning one day.
From this Braita it seems that the word “Vayehi” could also
be used for fortunate times as both the dedication of the Mishkan and the
creation of the world were happy occasions.
The Gemara explains that since Nadav and Avihu, Aharon’s
sons died on the day that the Mishkan was dedicated, the term Vayehi is
appropriate on account of the tragedy.
According to Rav Ashi, there are some instances in the Torah
where Vayehi refers to fortunate times (like during the creation of the world)
and there are other instances where it refers to painful times. The words “Vayehi
Biymei” (and it was in the days of), always introduce a painful narrative.
There are five instances of “Vayehi Biymei” in the Tanach and
they all refer to painful times:
“Vayehi Biymei Achashverosh”, “Vayehi Biymei Shfot
HaShoftim”, “Vayehi Biymei Amrafel” (Breisheet 14:1, when the four kings waged
war against the five kings and as a result, Lot, Avraham’s nephew was captured),
“Vayehi Biymei Achaz” (Yishayahu 7:1, a war against Jerusalem), “Vayrhi Biymei
Yehoyakim” (Yirmiyahu 1:3, the exile from Eretz Yisrael and the destruction of
the Beit HaMikdash took place during his lifetime).
Although Purim is a happy time for us now, if we really
focus on the story we see what a painful time it was for the Jews who were
living at the time of Achashverosh.
The dedication of the Mishkan in Parshat Shmini was also
bittersweet. It was a happy time to celebrate yet the happiness was dampened by
the fact that two of Aharon’s sons died.
Let’s hope and pray that we can return to the true happiness
from the days of the creation when the word “Vayehi” was not followed by
negativity but was rather followed by a description of the wonderful world that
God created for us.
