This week’s Parsha, Tzav, describes in detail the preparation services for the dedication of the Mishkan. This place was very significant, as it served as the dwelling place of Hashem’s presence. For seven days Moshe and the Jews were involved in preparations. Each day, they built the Tabernacle. Aharon and his sons were dressed in their priestly garments, and Moshe brought the sacrifices.
The revelation of Hashem’s presence surpasses and is better than anything man could possibly perform, so what was even the point in the sacrifices the Jews brought, since it basically had no value? Since everything is dependent on Hashem, why was it necessary for the Jews to do anything?
These questions can be answered on the basis of a story from the Midrash. Our Sages tell us the following story: Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa once saw a huge stone which he desired to bring to the Temple. The stone was too large for him to move himself, and he was too poor to hire workers to carry it. As he was contemplating what to do, he received a vision in which Hashem told him to push it with his small finger. He did and he saw angels who helped him bring the stone to the Temple.
Often, like Rabbi Chanina, we are intimidated by the challenges in front of us. We must realize that what Hashem is asking from us is to push with our little fingers. We must know the desired purpose, and we must do what we can. When we do that, we find success beyond our greatest expectations. Hashem establishes our efforts with blessings that empower them to accomplish more than could ever be achieved on our own.
However, these blessings are only granted when we actively do something. Moshe had to bring sacrifices. Rabbi Chanina had to push with his little finger, and we have to do our part to confront the challenges we face. And then we realize that our actions are far more powerful than we could possibly conceive. They create a Temple, a dwelling for Hashem, here in this world.
By: Yael Sterenfeld (10th Grade)