Work can be fun. It can also be boring. Worst of all is when it is frustrating. Some people love when a work environment is heimish, where everyone knows each other, everyone helps each other out, and it’s one happy family. Then there are those who love when the work life is very orderly. Every employee knows their place—there is a clear chain of command so that each person knows exactly what they are supposed to do.
Which environment is best?
The answer is that it depends on what we are trying to accomplish.
In this week’s Torah Portion, Vayak’hel-Pekudei, we read that Moses gathered the Jewish people together. He said that G-d told him the following: “Observe the laws of Shabbat while you will build the Tabernacle,” and then he repeated this again, with a small change in his wording saying that G-d “told me to tell you” to build the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, and goes on to give the details. He seemingly excluded himself from the obligations.
When it came to Shabbat observance, however, Moses included himself. However, when it came to building the Tabernacle, he excluded himself, as he would not be one of the builders. Yet, at the same time, he made it clear that his role was, “I will tell you.”
Here we learn a powerful lesson. True, Moses would not be an active builder, but he didn’t shirk his involvement in the building process. Clearly, he was going to be involved. He would be the teacher, the mentor, the guide. Even in an environment where a proper structure of authority is important and the chain of command needs to be followed, that doesn’t mean that people should shirk their responsibility to teach and mentor others on how to do things right.
Moses, in his humble way, taught us to always be there for others, whether it is your job or not. You should always find a way, your way, to roll up your sleeves and help another person succeed.
Shabbat Shalom.