The Mishkan Service as a Microcosm of the Role of Each and Every Jew

 Last week I shared an idea about how Hashem commands Moshe to go into great detail about the role of the architect of the mishkan so as to inculcate in every Jew that it is their home. The same way one building a home would focus on every facet - and faucet - reviewing different models/styles, and checking out different designers, woodwork, marble, and the like, Moshe wanted to assure the Jewish people that the home to be build for them was vested with the highest skilled professionals. 

I'd like to take that a step further this week. Rashi states that the portion of Pekudei opens up with a description of the work responsibilities of the different members of the tribe of Levi to illustrate that each member of the tribe had a task, a time to lift, a time to lower one's hefty burden; each had a unique task and responsibility. 

Perhaps we can see that modality and paradigm in viewing our role, individually as Jews. An important rabbi once asked me, "What do you do for a living?" I said, "God's labors, joyously." In Hebrew, Avodat Hashem B'simcha. Intrigued, he asked, "Nu...what do you do?" I humbly responded, "I teach English." After a drawn out pause he said, "Oh," and if that wasn't enough, he added, "That's what you call doing God's labors with alacrity?!" I smiled back. 

Every Jew has a time to lift, to lighten his load. To take a hiatus, and rest for a bit. Every Jew has a unique functionality that only he can fulfill, and which the failure to recognize can lead to not only inner unrest, but disastrous consequences for society. Were Korach to have been at inner peace, he wouldn't have had to direct his displeasure and lack of equanimity - and ire - at Moshe Rabbeinu, casting aspersion on his God-given role. 

Shabbat shalom,

Yoav

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