Miller's Musings Parshas Vayakhel/Pekudei: Fitted to Perfection

בס''ד

Despite the profundity and depth that in truth lies within the design and construction of the Mishkon, for some it may not be considered the most riveting of reads.  Nevertheless one can understand the necessity of its inclusion in the Torah, for us to be aware of the manner in which this most spiritual of edifices was assembled and the exact nature of its structure.  More difficult to understand however is the need for the Torah in this week’s Parsha when implementing the formation of the Mishkon to repeat all this information previously mentioned.

The Torah is incredibly precise when divulging the measurements of the Mishkon and the vessels within.  We are left in no doubt as to how exactly each of the items should look.  Yet to know how something should be and to be able to make it exactly as requested are two very different things.  In fact the Gemoro in Brochos concludes that they were not required to ensure the vessels were exactly as described, but rather they should endeavour to the best of their ability to make it faithful to the Torah’s instructions and that would be enough.  This, explains the Brisker Rov zt’l, is why it was essential for the Torah to repeat the details, to let us know that regardless of there being no absolute requirement to construct them as detailed, they were ultimately produced precisely as directed.  This was of course tremendous praise for those who had gone beyond what was strictly demanded to instead strive for perfection in their service of Hashem.

Even for those of us who sincerely endeavour to fulfil all that we are required to do by the dictates of the Torah, we may in some way still be lacking in what we could be achieving.  This is because we may live our lives in a ‘good enough’ way of thinking.  To be perfect is the domain of One and One only, Hashem.  But we can certainly do all that is in our power to make our actions more than merely acceptable.  When we give charity we can try to do so with our whole heart, when we daven we can try to truly connect with our G-d and when we are kind to others we can try to ensure that this is indeed a giving that has maximum benefit to another with minimum benefit to ourselves.  There are always ways that we can find to make our positive actions one little step closer to perfection, so lets remember to seek them out in all that we do. 

*May the perfection of Shabbos encourage the perfection in us*

 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

לרפואה שלימה:  שרה יעל בת ברכה אסתר