(Adapted from Birchas Mordechai, by Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi)
In Parshas Terumah and Tetzaveh the Jews are instructed in all the details of how to build the Mishkan. Now, in Parshas Pekudei, the actual building is related. It is very noteworthy that when the Chumash reports that the Jews built the Mishkan it states that they constructed every article, “just as Hashem had commanded Moshe.” This statement must be important because it is repeated no less than 18 times! Why was it so important to make this point so many times? Was it so hard to build the Mishkan exactly as Hashem commanded? Of course, they followed instructions to a “T”. This was the generation which witnessed Yetziyas Mitzrayim and who had received the Torah. How could they have done anything less?
But think about it. When someone is given a job, he usually performs it “roughly” or “approximately” according to instructions. Perhaps even better than he was told, sometimes not as good. However, whatever he does, he feels satisfied that he has really performed his duties. It was good enough. Who expects more than doing something “pretty good” “almost perfect”?
This attitude is very widespread. Where does it come from? It emanates from a distorted understanding of the plan. The question is, why does it happen?
Hidden within the deep recesses of our subconscious, a person feels a resistance of obedience to another. He feels threatened that he is being made totally subordinate to whoever is issuing the command. This creates an irresistible need to also be a “partner” in the planning, the blueprint; to also be the one giving the orders.
A person wants to feel “the boss” regarding everything he does. This is engrained so deeply within himself, it forces him “to rationalize,” “to explain,” “to understand,” “to feel” out everything, to express his own opinion, and make his own decisions.
This motivation to do everything “approximately” is really quite precise. It is the force within that directs everything one does and thinks. He rationalizes, “this is the only way to use your head.” This force can be quite ingenious in its rationalizations.
Eighteen times. The Torah accents, repeats, and points out again and again that Bnei Yisroel did exactly as Hashem commanded Moshe. Because Bnei Yisroel built the Mishkan out of absolute submission to Hashem’s words alone. This is the special quality that only Yisroel has, to be totally subservient to Hashem’s commands; with no personal calculations; with no personal collaboration: with no expression of personal possession of the action.
They built the Mishkan with a clear understanding that the highest Divine goals can be reached only with absolutely no interjection of one’s self; throwing oneself totally into Hashem’s commands.
18 times the Torah made this exalted point. Bnei Yisroel did exactly as commanded. Not “approximately.” There was no devious interjection of one’s self. There was no coupling whatsoever of any ego. 100% subservience to Hashem’s word.
"Just as Hashem commanded Moshe."
Let’s take this one step further. “And so did Aharon,” (Bamidbar 8:3). Chazal comment, “this pasuk praises Aharon for not changing anything” (Sifrei - Beha’aloscha 3).
And what was so special about Aharon that the pasuk has to point out to us that he didn’t change anything?
We have to realize. When we are discussing Aharon the surprising fact isn’t that he didn’t change anything to do less than he was told. What is surprising is that he didn’t do more! That he didn’t try to improve anything.
Imagine. Aharon was a very holy man – holy of holies. He was the only person in Klal Yisroel allowed into the Inner Sanctuary. As he entered to light the holy Menorah, he stood there with the radiance shining in front of him. He had been chosen to turn on a light for Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
Why didn’t he start reciting "Leshem Yichud...?" Wasn’t there some deep emotional urge to glorify and beautify the Menorah even more? Maybe add a bit of gold over here? Another cup or ornament?
What is this? Just to go over and light the Menorah? Just like that? Maybe put on another piece of clothing in honor of this great event. Or to add some move, to dance a bit. Make the ceremony a bit more ornate. “All my bones should praise Hashem!”
But this doesn’t always match the halachah. There is a prescribed manner of serving Hashem. There is a halachah prohibiting extra or fewer garments (Zevachim 17b). There is a halachah regarding the exact shape and form of the Menorah, etc. How can someone so holy and devoted hold himself back? How can one not give in to his holy impulses, emanating from such a pure source?
“This tells us the greatness of Aharon – that he didn’t change anything.” Aharon controlled his deep desire to do more!
Don’t think you can do “better” than the Torah. Don’t delve “deeper” than the Torah. The most wonderful thing you can do, is to do exactly as the Torah prescribes.
It isn’t easy to withstand the artist impulse to “fix it up a bit” “to improve on it” “to make it better.” Why not allow some expert hand to make a more glorious and exalted House for the Ribbono Shel Olam? Why not make the Mishkan taller and more magnificent? A more beautiful table? Another mizbe’ach? Or a larger one?
Against all these onslaughts one must show a tremendous inner strength, to understand that obedience is the epitome of service, the epitome of understanding: total subservience to Hashem’s word: the epitome of perfection.
Just like Hashem commanded Moshe. (R’ Eliezer Parkoff)
