At the end of the Tabernacle service in the Communion Tent it says, "They brought the Tabernacle to Moses." (Exodus 39:33) And why did they bring it to him? It is because they could not erect it themselves. No human being could erect it, because the boards weighed so much that no one could put them upright. Yet, Moses succeeded.
Moses asked G-d, "How can a human being possibly erect it?"
G-d replied, "Go through the motions."
Moses seemed to be erecting it, but it stood erect and rose by itself. This is the meaning of the words, "The Tabernacle was erected." (Exodus 40:17) It arose by itself (see Rashi, ibid.).
Not just with the erection of the Tabernacle in ancient times, so heavy that no man could lift it, did Israel require divine assistance. They also require assistance with establishing their personal Tabernacles, the Jewish family and nation. We are commanded to make a sincere effort - and G-d helps us. We have limited strength, but Omnipotent G-d assists us; as our sages said, "If a person sanctifies himself a little bit, G-d will sanctify him much. The effort he makes here on earth is equaled by what G-d does for him from above." (Yoma 39a)
In our generation, we are busy with the rebuilding of the Third Temple, in three stages, as Rambam wrote: "Israel were commanded to fulfill three mitzvot on their entry into the Land: appointing a king for them precedes waging war on Amalek; annihilating the seed of Amalek precedes rebuilding the Temple." (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 1:1-2) In all of these stages, we need to strive greatly, despite the enormous difficulties; in accordance with our efforts we enjoy divine assistance.
The State of Israel is the beginning of the Kingdom of Israel, at the height of which we will merit the appearance of the Messianic King and the rebuilding of the Temple. Yet, the State of Israel is beset by enormous hardships, in the shape of struggles and wars with enemies from without and spiritual, moral and social crises from within. Sometimes, matters seem as difficult as raising up the Tabernacle boards. Yet, we need to follow in the path of Moses, who went through the motions of raising up those heavy boards, while G-d assisted him.
This advice is relevant to every day, but all the more so on Election Day, when every Jew is commanded to raise his hand and vote regarding matters as weighty as the Tabernacle boards. Those matters include: 1) connecting the State of Israel and its citizens to the Torah and to Jewish tradition; 2) strengthening our hold on Eretz Yisrael; and 3) strengthening, exalting and unifying the spirit of the Jewish People. Whoever votes in the elections for the strengthening of the Torah, the people and the Land will be the living fulfillment of the words of David, the sweet singer of Israel, "G-d will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 12:12)
Moses asked G-d, "How can a human being possibly erect it?"
G-d replied, "Go through the motions."
Moses seemed to be erecting it, but it stood erect and rose by itself. This is the meaning of the words, "The Tabernacle was erected." (Exodus 40:17) It arose by itself (see Rashi, ibid.).
Not just with the erection of the Tabernacle in ancient times, so heavy that no man could lift it, did Israel require divine assistance. They also require assistance with establishing their personal Tabernacles, the Jewish family and nation. We are commanded to make a sincere effort - and G-d helps us. We have limited strength, but Omnipotent G-d assists us; as our sages said, "If a person sanctifies himself a little bit, G-d will sanctify him much. The effort he makes here on earth is equaled by what G-d does for him from above." (Yoma 39a)
In our generation, we are busy with the rebuilding of the Third Temple, in three stages, as Rambam wrote: "Israel were commanded to fulfill three mitzvot on their entry into the Land: appointing a king for them precedes waging war on Amalek; annihilating the seed of Amalek precedes rebuilding the Temple." (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 1:1-2) In all of these stages, we need to strive greatly, despite the enormous difficulties; in accordance with our efforts we enjoy divine assistance.
The State of Israel is the beginning of the Kingdom of Israel, at the height of which we will merit the appearance of the Messianic King and the rebuilding of the Temple. Yet, the State of Israel is beset by enormous hardships, in the shape of struggles and wars with enemies from without and spiritual, moral and social crises from within. Sometimes, matters seem as difficult as raising up the Tabernacle boards. Yet, we need to follow in the path of Moses, who went through the motions of raising up those heavy boards, while G-d assisted him.
This advice is relevant to every day, but all the more so on Election Day, when every Jew is commanded to raise his hand and vote regarding matters as weighty as the Tabernacle boards. Those matters include: 1) connecting the State of Israel and its citizens to the Torah and to Jewish tradition; 2) strengthening our hold on Eretz Yisrael; and 3) strengthening, exalting and unifying the spirit of the Jewish People. Whoever votes in the elections for the strengthening of the Torah, the people and the Land will be the living fulfillment of the words of David, the sweet singer of Israel, "G-d will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 12:12)