Rav Moshe Feinstein derives two important lessons with respect to one’s self-esteem and maximizing one’s potential from the pesukim in our parsha. The first lesson is derived from the opening words of the parsha. Why is the verb תשא (to uplift) used when counting the people? There are other more direct terms that could have been used to express counting.
Rav Moshe suggests that the specific term “tisa,” to uplift, is used in order to alleviate one’s concerns of feeling inferior to others. One may desire to learn Torah, but when they compare themselves to others who are wiser and more learned, they may experience despair. One’s humble sentiments can lead to low self-esteem. When counting all members of Am Yisrael, each individual is counted as one. No matter how smart, strong, or affluent, every member is attributed the same value when counting. One need only apply himself and work hard to be able to achieve. To “lift himself up,” to strive for excellence.
Later in the parsha, a second similar lesson is deduced. Hashem tells Moshe that he has selected Betzalel to assist with the construction of the Mishkan. The pasuk states: “Re’ei karati b’shem Betzalel. See, I designated Betzalel.” (Shemot 31:1). Rav Moshe inquires: Where did Hashem previously designate Betzalel? We do not find a previous pasuk that articulates any such delegation. Rav Moshe explains that if Betzalel possessed special talent with respect to architecture, obviously, he was gifted with such characteristics in order to use them for the good of society and to fulfill ratzon Hashem (the will of God). He was allotted this skill so that he could contribute to the building of the Mishkan.
Each and every individual has specific skills. Some individuals have the ability to sing or sculpture, while others have the power of persuasion or the ability to organize or manage. No matter what talent one enjoys, one must direct that talent towards ratzon Hashem, to recognize that he was gifted with a specific ability in order to utilize it for a specific purpose.
A story is told of a professor who placed a glass jar in the front of a classroom. He poured rocks into the jar until it overflowed. The professor then asked the class if the jar was full. The students replied that the jar was indeed full. The professor then took out a bag of small pebbles and inserted them into the jar. Apparently, the jar was not full, since these pebbles were able to be inserted into the jar. After inserting the pebbles, the professor asked if the jar was now full, to which the students replied in the affirmative. The professor then took out a bag of sand and poured the sand into the jar, again showing that more could be inserted into the jar that the students had thought was full. After the sand was overflowing, the students told the professor that now the jar was full. Then, the professor poured water into the jar, highlighting that even at this juncture, there was still room in the jar. The lesson taught that day was that even when one thinks they have reached a plateau, if they try hard enough, there is always room for more. We must work hard to reach our potential.
We should reflect on what we can do to contribute to our shuls, neighborhoods, and the greater Jewish community. We each have skills that we have perhaps not tapped in the past. Ki tisa et rosh- we should take this opportunity to raise up our heads, to maximize our potential, and, as Bezalel did, utilize our skills and talents to improve the society around us.
