Don’t be discouraged if obstacles come your way. All beginnings are hard. But once you’ve taken on a new and holy challenge, it only gets easier the next time!
This week’s Torah portion is Pekudei (Exodus 38:21 – 40:38). It is one of the shortest readings in the Torah, as well as the final reading of the book of Exodus.
The primary theme in the reading is the completion of the Mishkan, (the Tabernacle), the portable synagogue that the Jewish people carried with them throughout their 40 years of wandering in the desert. When the various different components of the Mishkan were completed, it was time to put them all together to form the Mishkan and begin serving God within it.
Our sages note there was a problem with putting the Mishkan together: It was too heavy! Nobody was able to lift or attach the various pieces! The people needed Superman, or more precisely, SuperMoses!
When the people gave up trying to put the Mishkan together, God told Moses that he should be the one to erect it. But Moses then asks the obvious question: “How will I possibly be able to put together the Mishkan if the entire committee combined couldn’t do so?” So God essentially answers Moses: “You’re right. Not possible. Just pretend that you’re putting it together and I’ll be there to take care of the rest.” And they all lived happily ever after.
The question is asked, however: Why is it only here that we learn of the difficulty in erecting the Mishkan? Throughout all the 40 years of wandering in the desert we don’t find any hint or mention of the Mishkan being difficult to assemble or disassemble. There is certainly no mention of Moses himself being involved in the construction or the dismantling of the Mishkan at any other time.
A Turning Point in Jewish History
To paraphrase the Four Questions of Passover: “Why is this assembly of the Mishkan different from all other assemblies?”
It is explained that the difference between the first erection of the Mishkan and all others is that it was…the first one! It was its inaugural assembly, anointing, and usage. This event was a turning point in the history of the Jewish people. An added dose of holiness was added to the world with the erection of the Mishkan.
Our sages teach us that “Kol Hatchalot Kashot – All beginnings are hard.” Do you think it is going to be easy to add the holiness of the Mishkan to the world? Do you think that just anyone would be worthy to do the job? Indeed, only the CEO of the Jewish people could be charged with such a task…and even he needed God to help him out! Once it was up – it was easier the second time.
And so it is with us: Expect challenges when dealing with a new mitzvah (Torah commandment) for the first time, and certainly don’t be discouraged if challenges come your way! “All beginnings are hard.” But once you’ve added that little drop of holiness to the world, it only gets easier the next time!
For more insights by Rabbi Ari Enkin on this week’s Torah reading, click on the links below.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/living-torah-do-your-best-for-everyones-sake/
https://unitedwithisrael.org/the-holiness-of-human-intimacy/
https://unitedwithisrael.org/living-torah-the-obligation-to-give-thanks/