DIVREI TORAH ON PARSHAS VAYAKHEL
In this Parsha, Betzalel and Oholiov are appointed as the Director and assistant Director, to oversee the construction of the Mishkon. People like having titles, and are often only interested in helping if they will be recognized. In the Tzavo’os of Rav Eliezer Hagodol he clarifies the attitude people should have with regard to honor. He writes:
B’ni, Lo Sirdof Acharei Haseroro, Ki Hakol Gozur Milmalo. V’la’asher Yechpotz, Yitneno. B’chol Yom Hakodosh Boruch Hu Korei Al Ze B’a’tzmo. Re’ei Korosi B’sheim, Betzalel.
My son, don’t chase after a positon of leadership because it’s all decided in heaven, and to whomever Hashem wants to give the honor will receive it. Every day Hashem, himself, announces: See, I’ve called by name Betzalel.
A similar message can be found in our daily Shacharis Tefillos. We say V’ho’osher V’hakovod Lifonecho. Dovid Hamelech acknowledges that wealth and honor comes from Hashem. The Malbim, among others, explains the same thought. Honor is “given” to people in the same way as their income.
Knowing that I have no control over how people will think of me is comforting. People should only obsess about something which is in their control. Most people believe that titles, promotions, and public recognition are in their control. Rav Eliezer teaches us that achieving recognition is completely out of their control and, therefore, they should stop focusing, or worrying, about it. Respect will, or won’t, happen, and there’s not much that they can do about it.
In addition, not having to worry about what people think of you will allow your decisions to be solely based on what is right or wrong, since those decisions won’t affect what other people may think.
When it comes to people’s incomes, many of them have come to terms with not having any control of its outcome, and are aware that Hashem alone, on Rosh Hashono, decides how much they’ll earn during the entire year. It should be comforting to them to know that they should be Mishtadel, place effort, but once they’ve done that it’s “not their problem”.
B’ni, Lo Sirdof Acharei Haseroro, Ki Hakol Gozur Milmalo. V’la’asher Yechpotz, Yitneno. B’chol Yom Hakodosh Boruch Hu Korei Al Ze B’a’tzmo. Re’ei Korosi B’sheim, Betzalel.
My son, don’t chase after a positon of leadership because it’s all decided in heaven, and to whomever Hashem wants to give the honor will receive it. Every day Hashem, himself, announces: See, I’ve called by name Betzalel.
A similar message can be found in our daily Shacharis Tefillos. We say V’ho’osher V’hakovod Lifonecho. Dovid Hamelech acknowledges that wealth and honor comes from Hashem. The Malbim, among others, explains the same thought. Honor is “given” to people in the same way as their income.
Knowing that I have no control over how people will think of me is comforting. People should only obsess about something which is in their control. Most people believe that titles, promotions, and public recognition are in their control. Rav Eliezer teaches us that achieving recognition is completely out of their control and, therefore, they should stop focusing, or worrying, about it. Respect will, or won’t, happen, and there’s not much that they can do about it.
In addition, not having to worry about what people think of you will allow your decisions to be solely based on what is right or wrong, since those decisions won’t affect what other people may think.
When it comes to people’s incomes, many of them have come to terms with not having any control of its outcome, and are aware that Hashem alone, on Rosh Hashono, decides how much they’ll earn during the entire year. It should be comforting to them to know that they should be Mishtadel, place effort, but once they’ve done that it’s “not their problem”.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu “Re’ey Korosi B’sheim, see that I am calling (Betzalel) by name. The expression Re’ey, to see, isn’t found elsewhere when appointing someone to a position. Why is it used here? Rav Moshe Feinstein offers the following explanation:
All people are given a mixture of strengths. Hashem’s intention is for people to use those strengths for the sake of others. Nevertheless, people have Bechirah (free choice) to use those strengths for personal, positive, or destructive, purposes. However, people must remember that when their strengths are not used for the Rotzon Hashem, they will be held accountable.
Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu, Re’ey, because it’s clear to see, why Betzalel was appointed. He showed the greatest level of architecture, construction, and leadership, skills in Klal Yisroel. They would have been given to him only to build the Mishkon. A person who has been given wealth, a beautiful voice, patience, or a good sense of humor, was given them for obvious reasons. People must use those strengths to fulfill the Rotzon Hashem.
People should take inventory of their strengths, and dedicate a portion of them for the greater good. Understanding what an individual’s mission is, in this world, is sometimes difficult but, in order to succeed in life it becomes very necessary.
All people are given a mixture of strengths. Hashem’s intention is for people to use those strengths for the sake of others. Nevertheless, people have Bechirah (free choice) to use those strengths for personal, positive, or destructive, purposes. However, people must remember that when their strengths are not used for the Rotzon Hashem, they will be held accountable.
Hashem tells Moshe Rabbeinu, Re’ey, because it’s clear to see, why Betzalel was appointed. He showed the greatest level of architecture, construction, and leadership, skills in Klal Yisroel. They would have been given to him only to build the Mishkon. A person who has been given wealth, a beautiful voice, patience, or a good sense of humor, was given them for obvious reasons. People must use those strengths to fulfill the Rotzon Hashem.
People should take inventory of their strengths, and dedicate a portion of them for the greater good. Understanding what an individual’s mission is, in this world, is sometimes difficult but, in order to succeed in life it becomes very necessary.
The author can be contacted at shmuelgluck@areivim.com
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