G-d’s response
G-d, however, desired that G-dliness should permeate everything even those things that are the tools of temptation.
On the contrary, from G-d’s perspective there was an advantage to these things more than the rest of the articles in the Mishkan.
These mirrors were used to “set up many legions.” They were used to establish the army of G-d. It is because of their use in being a tool to establish the Army of G-d that they were especially precious to the Almighty.
An army specifically is remarkable in the fact that it has the strength to listen even when there is adversary. They accept the yoke of their commander and listen at all situations. It is specifically through accepting the yoke of Heaven that gives the person the ability to serve G-d even when faced with the temptations of the evil inclination.
The kiyor
In a similar way that on one hand the mirrors were the lowest of the donations that were given to the temple yet on the other hand have a significant advantage over the rest of the donations in that they are expressive of the yoke of heaven, so too is with the kiyor.
On one hand it only serves as a preparation to serving G-d in the Mishkan and for that reason it lower than the other articles. On the other it has a significant advantage and is expressive of Moshe himself.
The function that the kiyor served in the Mishkan was that of washing off one’s-self off from negativity. This concept of washing one’s self from negativity is more precious than the actual service of G-d and is therefore what is especially great about the kiyor.
It is for this reason why the kiyor alludes to Moshe. Moshe exemplified humility and accepting the yoke of heaven to do G-d’s will no matter one’s temptation is expressive of this tremendous humility. It is Moshe’s humility that is alluded to in the kiyor and it is humility that makes the kiyor beloved to G-d.
(Based on Likutei Sichos 6, Ki Sisa 1, reworked by Rabbi Dovid Markel. To see other projects and to partner in our work, see: www.Neirot.com.)
