Friday March 14,1997                           Erev Shabbat AdarII 5, 5757
Pikudai (Exodus 38:21-40:38)

Something to think about:

	With the reading of Pikudai, we complete the book of Exodus. Moshe
offers a complete accounting of the material collected for the
construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) demonstrating his care of
community funds. When all of the preparations were completed, we find two
phrases referring to the actual setting up. 

And it was on the first month of the second year, on the first day, the
Mishkan was set up (40:17) [miraculously, on its own!] And the next
sentence in the Torah begins "And Moses set up the Mishkan ..." Which
was it? 

	The Midrash (early Rabbinic Biblical teachings) explains that both
are true.  Moshe approached the disassembled parts; "The pieces are too
heavy, they are too massive for me to assemble them.  I can't do it."
Hashem spoke to Moshe, "Place your hands on the pieces and I will
assemble it." The Mishkan was actually set up by Hashem but it appeared
to come together through Moshe.

	For reasons, known only to G-d, Hashem desires our efforts and
action.  Hashem isn't telling us to 'sit on our hands' and watch or that
we are on our own.  Hashem is there with us and even ready to shoulder the
burden but requires us, like Moses, to be 'hands on'. 

	Like Moshe, each person faces challenges.  [The greatest challenge
being trying to change personal habits or character defects.] We often
react in two ways.  Either we take it on totally, butting our heads
against the wall until we either collapse or give up in frustration; or we
take a good look at the challenge, shake our heads and retreat.  

When it comes to setting up a structural House of G-d or structuring our
own lives to reflect G-d's presence, these patterns of behavior don't
work.  Hashem tells Moshe and each of us, "You don't have to do it
yourself but you do have to do it!"  There is a wonderful Yiddish
expression reflecting this, "mir darffen ton, Gut vet oifton" ["We have to
do, G-d will accomplish."]

Good Shabbos!!                             Rabbi  Hirsh Michel Chinn

PURIM IS AROUND THE CORNER: Include others in your family's celebration!