Parashat Pekudei - Just Do It!

Adar 29, 5785 - Saturday, March 29, 2025

This week’s Parasha is Parashat Pekudei, the final portion of the Book of Shemot. In this Parasha, we read about the completion of the Mishkan—the portable sanctuary that traveled with Bnei Yisrael in the desert. The Mishkan was a place where Hashem’s presence dwelled among the Jewish people, a powerful symbol of connection between Hashem and His nation.

As we complete the Book of Shemot, our sages teach us that the Torah is not just a collection of stories but a guide for life. Every section of the Torah is connected, and nothing is written without deep meaning. This brings us to an important question: What is the connection between the beginning of Shemot, which speaks about the birth of Moshe, and the end of Shemot, which speaks about the construction of the Mishkan?

At first glance, some might think that Parashat Pekudei—with its detailed descriptions of the Mishkan’s construction—is purely technical and has little relevance to our daily lives. But the Torah is eternal, and its teachings apply just as much today as they did in the time of the desert. There is an incredible lesson we can learn from the way the Mishkan was built.

Our sages explain that after receiving the divine instructions for building the Mishkan, the Jewish people encountered a challenge: the beams of the Mishkan were too heavy to lift. Despite their best efforts, they simply couldn’t do it. So Moshe turned to Hashem and prayed for help. Hashem responded, “You begin the work, and I will do the rest.” As Moshe placed his hands on the beams and attempted to lift them, a miracle occurred—the Mishkan assembled itself.

This miracle teaches us a profound lesson about life. We often hesitate to take on challenges, especially in our Jewish journey. We may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of Torah and mitzvot, thinking, How can I possibly do all of this? But Hashem’s response to Moshe gives us the answer: Just start.

When we put in the effort and take the first step, Hashem helps us succeed.

This idea is beautifully reflected at the beginning of Shemot as well. When Batya, the daughter of Pharaoh, saw a small basket floating in the Nile, she immediately wanted to save the crying baby inside—Moshe Rabbeinu. But there was a problem: the basket was too far away for her to reach. Yet, despite the odds, she stretched out her hand. And then, a miracle happened—her arm extended, allowing her to rescue Moshe.

Batya didn’t think about whether she could reach the basket or not. She simply acted. And because she made the effort, Hashem took care of the rest. This is the same message we see with the Mishkan. The Jewish people made an attempt, and Hashem completed the work for them.

Hashem didn’t give the Torah to angels. He gave it to us, human beings, who have struggles, challenges, and limitations. And yet, Hashem assures us that when we put in our best effort, He will be there to help us along the way.

Shabbat Shalom!