Imagine trying to put together one of those very large and detailed Lego sets without the instructions. Even using the picture on the box, it would be pretty difficult.

Klal Yisroel were told to make and do things for the construction of the Mishkan that they had no idea how to do. Likewise, upon completion, Moshe did not know how to put it all together.

The pasuk says that Hashem placed Wisdom in all those who were “wise of heart” so they could construct the Mishkan. If they already had wisdom, why did he need to bestow more on them?

Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz explains that “Wisdom of the Heat” means that they possessed the right priorities, that they desired to develop all their faculties to the fullest and dedicate them towards Avodas Hashem. To these, Hashem grantd Wisdom to accomplish whatever tasks was before them.

The Midrash explains how the Mishkan is a model of the world (we learn hilchos Shabbos from the Mishkan, which is all about the worlds creation). We also learn that a Human Being is awalking Mikdash, a miniature Mishkan.

We all have spiritual goals. We want to build our world perfectly and reflect Hashems holiness. Likewise, we want to “build” our children up to be worthy of carrying the Shechina and the Torah, to be a walking Mishkan. Often we see “pieces” scattered, our childrens behaviors and middos, different parts of our lives, and are unsure how everything fits together properly or what utility they have. We learn in this weeks parsha that as long as we are part of the “Chachmei Lev’, we want the right things for the right reasons and do our Hishtadlus, Hashem will give us the knowledge and skills we need to perform the holy tasks he has given us, raising our kids and building the future.

Shabbat Shalom, Have a great Shabbos,

Rabbi Ari Deutscher MSW
Menahel