Tetsaveh is the continuation of the development of our walk as believers. We saw in T'rumah last week that our offerings were to be voluntarily motivated, that we were to be available and willing to listen to G-d, to obey Him and finally to do what he asks all within the realm of our calling.

In tetsaveh G-d is commanding Moses to do many things. First we read about the purity of the olive oil for the ner tamid (eternal flame). It needed to be pure in order that it would produce light and not smoke in its representation of G-d's purity.

In chapter 29:42-46, G-d promised that He would meet us and speak to us. His promise is that he would never abandon us.

Later in chapter 31, G-d singles out different individuals in whom he pours out his spirit in order for them to do exactly what he has called them to do.

The Levites who would serve in the Temple including Aharon, the Cohen ha Gadol (the High Priest) wore beautiful vestments created not by themselves but by those whom God appointed for the task. Everything they wore was to remind them of the glory of G-d. In the same way that G-d did then, still today he chooses different people for different tasks and one is not better than the other, they are simply just different.

It is important to remember that it is G-d who creates the task and He chooses the person or people to perform the duties. He gives us the gifts and talents to perform them and it is in the carrying out of these duties that we find perfect fulfillment. Everything is generated from Him. When we try to push ourselves into positions to which we were not called, there can only be only frustration, jealously and bitterness that arises.

If you ask how many people today are doing what they love to do, most people would reply that they hate what they are doing generally because they chose their professions mainly due to the benefits. They basically end up serving Mammon rather than serving the true G-d. There can be so sense of inner satisfaction from this. When G-d calls us and we are obedient and available to perform the task at hand, even though we feel that we are not capable of doing it properly, it is important that we be available. It is by being obedient that we will experience a deep sense of fulfillment even though we may still struggle with carrying out the task. We will never feel totally confident in our own abilities but we can be confident that he will be with us until it is completed.

In the world of the believer, position is something that can neither be bought nor sought. It is G-d's placement, his calling. In this way, we don't need anyone to tell us our position. If you look at the position of High Priest, it was G-d who chose Aaron and his sons. The sons would inherit this position from their father and would wear his clothes. God chose the person, from one tribe, the Levites, from one family within the tribe. Everyone else was excluded. It is always G-d's way, G-d's calling, G-d's decision.

If you are not satisfied with your life; if you are holding on to the crumbs instead of allowing G-d to give you the loaf, ask him to show you what his calling is for your life. Which spirit of wisdom has G-d placed in you so that you can do His will for the community? Are you doing it? What is stopping you from performing your calling?

     Rabbi Percy Johnson
     [nxy [b lantn

     © 2008 Use by Permission

     Kehilat She’ar Yashuv