Book of Shemos Vayakhel
BOOK OF SHEMOS VayaKHEl
35:26
All the women whose hearts uplifted them with wisdom spun the goat hair.
According to Rashi, the women spun goat hair into thread while it was still attached to the goats, a process entailing extraordinary talent. This extra effort was particularly remarkable considering that Bnei Yisrael had not been instructed to process the goat hair at all before donating it to the Mishkan. Nevertheless, these gifted women, “whose hearts uplifted them with wisdom,” wanted their contribution to the Mishkan to be of the highest possible quality. They therefore spun the goat hair while it was still growing, when the fibers are most pliable and produce a better yarn. Only then did they donate it to the Mishkan.
The Torah’s account of their donation teaches us an important lesson. The women who spun the goat hair recognized that their unique talent was a gift from G‑d. They were therefore certain that this ability had been granted to them in order for them to utilize it in the construction of the Mishkan—the home we make for G‑d in this world. As such, they specifically sought (and found) a way to enhance the Mishkan through their special talent, even though they had not been specifically commanded to do so.
The same is true for all the unique gifts that G‑d grants us. We must recognize that being blessed by G‑d with extraordinary abilities, whether an exceptional talent or abundant financial success, obliges us to seek out opportunities to contribute extraordinarily toward making this world a dwelling place for G‑d.
—Likkutei Sichos, vol. 16, pp. 451–456
