Tetzavé 5776 - English

By Rabbi Daniel A. Kripper

Beth Israel - Aruba.

What was the happiest period in the history of the Jewish people in Biblical times?  

Some of the contenders would certainly be the exodus from Egypt, the secure time under King David, or the prosperous reign of Solomon.  

However, there is a sage in the Talmud that suggests the happiest time could have been the months the people spent in the desert building the Mishkan or portable Tabernacle and its accessories.  What could be the reason for this immense and unusual joy?  

Well, at that time, the entire nation became inspired by a common purpose and every person gave the best they could.  Everyone moved towards this significant project… the goldsmiths and the blacksmiths, the weavers and the washers, men and women.  Even those that had no specialty felt the need to contribute.  

The result was visible to all, offerings of gold, silver, other metals, wood, weaves, furs and precious stones.   The donations exceeded all expectations, to the point where they had to ask people to stop bringing additional materials.  It was the most successful fundraising campaign in history, so successful that it managed to impress and move the organizers themselves.  

It is not by chance, then, that this time would be considered an ideal period of community elevation around one collective objective, one that each person identified and felt involved with personally. 

 Without a doubt, it was a climactic experience of community life that was recorded in the most profound part of the people’s souls throughout the centuries.   

This glorious chapter calls upon us to reflect on the importance of discovering in our own lives some special ability, as well as the capacity to use it as a means of personal realization.  In some way, each of us possesses a unique gift or talent, just like we each have our own unique fingerprints.  

Therefore, it is fundamental to identify those innate abilities and to apply them creatively to the world, affirming them instead of ignoring or postponing them out of false modesty or any other pretext.  

Is this not a better way to give back to the Universe, by contributing with our aptitudes to the wellbeing of the largest number of people possible?

On the other hand, it has been proven that to repress them leads to feelings of frustration and failure, while exercising and developing them is a permanent human challenge.  

And most importantly, by unfolding our potential not only do we benefit others, but also it helps us in the inner process of self-perfection.  

Each of us will choose the most appropriate space to serve at the highest-level possible, to be at the height of our spiritual responsibility.  

The synagogue, like the Tabernacle in days gone by, gives us a framework with unlimited possibilities to fulfill mitzvot or positive actions.  There are those who fulfill them within their family circle or within their respective professions.

Every day we are called upon to fulfill a sacred task, projecting our singularity through acts of the heart, the mind and the hands, thereby increasing the Light and Blessing in the world.  

Rabbi Daniel Kripper

Beth Israel Aruba