following instruction is one of life’s greatest challenges. the torah makes great effort to notate both the instructions and the work that was done to build the tabernacle aka mishkan. the potion vayakhel-pekudie details the accounting mishkan’s construction. a prior passage provided the detailed instructions which were identical in nature. the tabernacle or mishkan was the tent of the congregation. this tent was considered the earthly dwelling place of place of god; a sanctuary. myjewishlearning.com
why would the torah meticulously commit describing both the plans and the building? the torah could have simply stated that the mishkan was built in accordance with the plans. alternatively, the torah could have described the building process and referenced that it was done in accordance with the master of the universe’s set of instructions. could it be that the torah embraces obsessive-compulsive behavior?
the ability to receive and follow instruction is a powerful life skill. relationships and livelihoods depend upon it. as a child, i recall toy store shelves lined with plastic model kits. with an x-acto blade and some intoxicating glue, youths could put together trains, planes, ships and automobiles. upon opening the box, a paper with instructions would come out along with the model pieces. these instructions were the pathway to success.
humans have difficulties receiving and following instructions. difficulties can be based upon inability, laziness or stubbornness. also, human innovation can create problems. humans innovate. humans mentally can find better and more efficient ways to achieve the end result.
as the mishkan was the master of the universe’s vision, obedience to instructions may have been the tent’s message. those attending the mishkan were aware that they were in a place that was not of mankind. they understood, for some thing aspects of the world, that humanity was not allowed to add or detract.
in sum, humanity is in perpetual conflict with the concept of receiving and following instructions. while humanity has the ability to innovate and improve upon things, foundationally, it must also be capable of receiving and following instructions per the specifications. thus, the mishkan is a reminder of this requirement.
be well!!
if you enjoyed this post, please “like”
if you would like to read more posts, click here
if you find this post meaningful, please share.
The Ten Commandments Project 