USE YOUR OWN MATERIALS
Before beginning the construction of the Mishkan, Moshe reminds his people of the importance of Shabbos. Throughout the building of the Mishkan we find Shabbos being laced around and around. What is the connection of the Mishkan to Shabbos?
Shabbos is the cornerstone of our trust in HaShem as the Creator of the world, as the Guide of our lives, and as the Director of history. This is accomplished by both parts of Shabbos’ observance; Zachor, to sanctify the Shabbos with Kiddush and other acts of sanctification and Shamor, the abstinence from any creative activity. How does our refraining from work proclaim our recognition of HaShem’s Sovereignty?
Man’s unique quality over the rest of creation is our ability to be creative. It is an expression of our free will which no other creature has. The rest of creation operates under the laws of nature, the laws of physics and cannot reverse it. Gravity always pulls in and centrifugal force always pushes out. Lions always eat zebras and mosquitoes always bite. They have done so since they were created and will continue doing so till the end of time. Man, however, although he has a nature which pushes him in one direction or another, is nevertheless not subject to follow his nature. He can actually choose what to do and can go in any direction he wishes.
This remarkable gift is expressed in our creative activities. Every week when we refrain from expressing ourselves through our creative activities only because HaShem instructed us so, we are making a clear proclamation that this creative power is not our own, it belongs to HaShem. We subject our activities to His permission. In this way, we are constantly reminded Who the true Creator is and who was just given the ability as a gift.
The Mishkan was an edifice in which the Presence of HaShem was to reside. Before creating this most exquisite production of our creative ability, Moshe reminds us again and again to be careful with the Shabbos. If we are not careful with Shabbos and what she teaches us, we might think that the Mishkan is our own creation, created by our own ingenuity as a gift that we present to HaShem. Such a thought would be a travesty.
The Mishkan, whose purpose was to bring HaShem’s Presence only does so when we sacrifice our ego upon the Mizbeiach and we dedicate our whole being to the Will of HaShem.
If we would, for one moment, look at this masterpiece as a reflection of our own accomplishments then the entire function of the Mishkan would be overturned. Were we to feel a sense of pride in our handiwork we would have a Mishkan but there would be no place for HaShem.
At some time in the future, when scientists will be able to make an artificial human being with a fully operational body and mind they will turn to HaShem and tell Him that they can finally do it on their own. “We no longer need You.” HaShem will then tell them to go ahead and build a human being on their own. Immediately, they will gather some earth and vari-ous chemicals and gases and begin putting their man together. At this point, HaShem will tell them “Please use their own materials, not Mine!”
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind