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In this week's double parsha, Veyakhel-Pekudei, a thorough reckoning of every vessel, item and garment required for the service and construction of the Mishkan is recorded. Towards the end of Parshat Pekudei, the Torah tells us, "In accordance with all that the Lord had commanded Moshe, so did the Children of Israel accomplish all of the work that had been set for them" (Shemot 39:42). It is interesting to note that the word for "work" that is used in this context is not "melacha," as in other places which describe the construction of the Mishkan, but rather, "avodah." The medieval, Spanish Torah commentator Rebbeinu Bachya also marvels at the strange choice of language, stating, "It should have said, 'all of the melacha.' However, here, regarding the labor of the Mishkan, Scripture says, 'all of the avodah.' This is because the 'avodah,' or 'work,' involved in constructing the Mishkan reflected the 'service' of the Holy One, Blessed be He. As it says, 'You shall serve the Lord your God,' (Shemot 23:25). Also, 'Him alone shall you serve'" (Devarim 13:5). Thus, we see that when the Jewish people were physically building this most sacred structure, they never related to it as a mere building, but rather, they always perceived their labor as a form of worship and service of God. Perhaps, a story best expresses the distinction between 'melacha,' 'work,' and 'avodah,' 'service.'
A king was once observing a construction crew building a synagogue. "What are you doing?' the king asked. "I am laying bricks," said one. "I am smoothing cement," replied another. "I am chopping wood," declared a third. "And you there," said the king, pointing to a man busy at his task, "what are you doing?" "I am praying with my hands, building a palace for the King of kings!"
This Shabbat, as we think about how the Jewish people sanctified space through the construction of the Mishkan, creating a house for God's Presence to dwell on earth, let us also think about how we can sanctify space through the work of our hands, and that every action we take, every physical deed we do should be viewed as a holy service, as a sacred prayer we offer to God, as servants seeking to bring His Presence ever closer, as it says, "May the glory of the Lord, our God, be upon us; establish the work of our hands!" (Tehillim 90:17).
Shabbat Shalom!
-Rabbi Dan
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