“Every man whose heart uplifted him came, and everyone whose spirit inspired him to generosity brought the offering of the Lord for the work of the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.”
Moshe calls upon the people to assist in the building of the mishkan. The skills needed for this job included weaving, sewing and many other skillful tasks. Despite this, the Jewish people seemed to have no problem in fulfilling their duties. The backbreaking labor to which the people had been subjected in Egypt is not what helped develop these skill sets. Where did they acquire them?
Deep inside every person there are hidden talents that tend spark when one has a real desire to achieve something. The people who stepped forward to work in the mishkan did not know that they had such skills. However, as a result of their burning desire to be of assistance, they found hidden talents and abilities that were used to fulfill their jobs.
Rashi’s daughter came home one night crying. Her 7-year-old son asked her, “Mommy, why are you crying?” She replied, “The light of the world just went out; your grandfather Rashi passed away.”
The little boy thought for a moment and said, “Mommy, I’m going to re-ignite that light!” This little boy grew up to become known as Rabbeinu Tam, the most famous of the Tosafists.
Sometimes a person may feel that he is insufficient or limited. “I’m not cut out for this,” or “I don’t have the smarts…” He may be lacking something else – the desire to succeed. If someone has a strong will to accomplish something, he will achieve it. We have the ability to break beyond our limits and achieve the seemingly impossible.
By: Hadassah Bixon (10th grade)