(Please
excuse any tones of this article being sacrilegious.
The sum of this work is definitely greater than the parts.)
This
week’s Torah reading is all about work, so it is only natural that
it reminds me of my own job.
For my vocation I am the General Manager of an award-winning
fast food restaurant. (Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it… “Award-winning
fast food?) I don’t
really know if I manage the restaurant or if it manages me, yet
this hard work is very fulfilling.
Since doing this type of work over two years now, I must
admit that there is nothing like food service.
It has been said that if everyone on the face of the earth
would work in a restaurant for a few weeks then the world would
change for the better. Anyway, here are a few thoughts to consider
about burgers, drive thru windows, and the building of the tabernacle…
First
things first
Our
reading is more than just the first section you come to in your
Bible. Actually our reading is two readings,
the two portions that take up the last few chapters of the book
of Shemot. First of all, the first of our two readings
is called “Vayak’hel” which in Hebrew literally means, “assembled.”
Our portion begins with Moshe getting the people of Yisra’el
together for the construction of the dwelling place of the Most
High. Moshe speaks to the k’halel (assembly) about a free will offering
for the items to make the mishkan. He also reminds the people about the Shabbat.
As
extremely important as it was for the tabernacle to be made, it
was even more important for the Sabbath day of rest to be kept.
Selah.
Moshe’s
pep rally was to set priorities, and the Shabbat is definitely a
priority. At my restaurant I also make the Shabbat
a main concern. Though
Saturday is usually the busiest day of the week for our sales, it
is one day that the store can do without the General Manager.
There is a time to work and a time for rest. This was true at creation, it was true
during the building of the tabernacle, and it is true today.
It’s
a team effort
For
the Yisraelites, the mishkan would not fall into their laps simply
because they had faith in Yahweh.
No, it had to be built from top to bottom with their contributions
and through their works.
The
Scriptures say that “everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone
whose spirit made him willing brought Yahweh’s offerings…both men
and women,” Shemot 35:21,22. While many donated the necessary contributions,
other people were singled out as skilled artisans to do the actual
construction. These
craftsmen were “endowed with the wisdom and skill necessary to carry
out the work needed for the sanctuary,” Shemot 36:1.
Just
as the people were stirred in their hearts to give, B’tzal’el and
Oholi’av were stirred in their hearts by the Ruach HaKodesh to work. Everyone had a part to play and everyone
played their part. Accomplishing
anything, from making the grandiose tabernacle to satisfying hungry
customers takes skill and teamwork.
Not just anyone could mold the many pounds of gold into the
menorah, and believe it or not, not everyone can make a Big Mac
or station the front counter register. It takes the right people working together
to do anything of worth. Success
comes in knowing what to do, having the proper skills or skilled
people, and then doing it.
Things come together when people come together.
The
little things in life
Attention
to the smallest details had to be given while constructing the sanctuary. The craftsmen could not take a lot of
“artistic license” when doing their job.
They were given very specific blue prints to produce an earthly
copy of the heavenly model that Moshe had seen.
The ark of acacia-wood HAD to be “three-and-three quarters
feet long, two-and-a-quarter feet wide and two-and-a quarter feet
high,” Shemot 37:1. The ark could not be off by a foot, an
inch, or a centimeter. The
precision used in building the sanctuary is a reminder about how
much the little things matter.
The
world will tell you, “don’t sweat the small stuff,” but Yahshua
says, “Anyone who breaks one of the LEAST of these commandments
and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom
of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will
be called great in the kingdom of heaven,” Mattitiyahu 5:19. Obedience in even the little things count
to Yahweh.
Details
are what make up the bigger picture…Did you know that most chain
restaurants have picky inspections that should be completed on a
weekly basis? Our unit just passed a sanitation inspection
that scrutinized over 180 areas for cleanliness. Kitchen baseboards, inside trashcans,
parking lot concrete, bathroom tile, and freezer gaskets must stay
spotless! “If you have
time to lean then you have time to clean,” I tell my staff. I also tell them that the “habits you
form when it is slow are what you will fall back on when it is busy.” Now just think about this for a minute.
What you do, how you obey Yahweh in the small things (in
the details) is what you will do with “bigger” issues.
How you act in the dark will be seen in the light.
The thoughts you really believe will become the words you
eventually say. Didn’t Yahshua teach that as we are faithful
in the smaller things then we would be ruler over the greater? It does matter how many pickles go on
a whopper. It is important
that your French fries are over 140 degrees when they are placed
in a container. It does matter if you wear your tzittzit.
It is important that you eat only kosher food.
Honestly, if a fast food joint is concerned about gum on
the sidewalk, shouldn’t we as Torah keepers be concerned about our
tongue, our honesty, and our witness?
If
you build it they will come
For
several years the eatery I manage has had dwindling sales and high
turnover. And it has been anything but fast food.
However, all of this is different now.
Our team has recently spent much time cleaning the place
up, properly training the staff, and equipping the management with
motivation and food service education. Though we sell basically the same food,
our customers will tell you that it is a different place than it
was a year ago. Sales
are up and turnover is low.
We’ve made service faster and as a result the people have
returned for flame-broiled burgers. It’s amazing what happens when you do
something right!
Our
Torah Parasha(s) continue as the finishing touches are made to the
place of meeting. The
priestly garments are hemmed, the copper is polished, and the anointing
oil is mixed. Finally, Moshe is presented with the pieces
of the Mishkan. “And
when Moshe saw that they had performed all the tasks – as Yahweh
had commanded, so they had done – Moshe blessed them,” Shemot 39:43. Moshe blessed their work. And Yahweh would soon bless their work.
Obedience is always awarded with blessing.
The
tabernacle would be set up on the first day of the first month,
the month of Aviv. On this day the cloud of Yahweh’s presence
moved from the Mount to the Mishkan. All Yisra’el saw His glory in the cloud
above their work. Through
their trusting and faithful obedience, the mishkan accomplished
its purpose to welcome the presence of the Almighty.
And so this portion and this sefer (book) end on a high note. The people who once built for Pharaoh
have now made the mishkan for Yahweh.
The sin of the golden calf has been forgiven. The mishkan has been built correctly through
generous donations. Yahweh
now resides amidst the people.
Moshe can’t even enter the tabernacle because of Yahweh’s
presence being so great. It’s
amazing what happens when you do something right!
