Vayakhel & Pikudai 2007

This Shabbos we read Parshas Vayakhel and Parshas Pikudai. In Parshas Vayakhel the Torah tells us about the construction of the Tabernacle. The Torah precedes this with the commandment to keep Shabbos. Our sages explain that the reason for this is that the Torah wants to make it clear that even for as great a purpose as building the Tabernacle, one may not desecrate the Shabbos.

When the Torah instructs us to keep Shabbos, the words used are Shashes Yomim Taiase Melacha – on six days work shall be done. The obvious question is, why is the word Taiase Melacha - work shall be done used? Wouldn’t it be more correct to write Taase Melacha – You should do work?

In the book called Sefer Aperian, the author offers a beautiful insight. If a person feels that he or she is the one who is creating or making the work in their life happen, that they are in full control of what is going on, then it will be a challenge for them to keep Shabbos. Every moment they may feel that they are giving up tremendous opportunity and money. Only when we realize that we are not in control, that the Almighty is the one Who decides what we do or don’t have, that at the end of the day everything is up to the Almighty, does it become easier to observe the Shabbos. This is what is meant by the expression - Taiase Melacha - work shall be done. With that attitude, realizing that Shabbos is the source for all blessing, can we properly observe the Shabbos.