In this week's parasha, we find Moshe Rabbeinu commanding Am Yisrael first about the mitzvah of Shabbos, and then about donating for and building the Mishkan.

The Mishkan was built by many different individuals, each working on his or her personal part.  At the time that the construction was taking place, it seemed to them that they each were doing an exceptionally good job.  When all the component parts were complete and the Mishkan was compiled, it became apparent that all the parts fit together perfectly!!  All the boards and stakes and coverings and hooks and curtains fit together like a perfect puzzle produced by one person alone.  Am Yisrael then understood that such a feat could only have come to be not a result of great mortal resources;  talents, intelligence, skills, etc.; but only because there had been Divine Assistance guiding their minds and hands from start to finish.  ONLY THIS is what brought the project of building the Mishkan to successful completion.

In the Gemara is related the account of the writing of the Targum Shivim, the Septuagint.  Ptolemy gathered together seventy-two sages and instructed them to translate the Torah into greek.  He placed each one in a separate cell.  They each sat alone confronted with the difficult task of translating and explaining certain difficult passages.  As the sages sat at work, they each made alterations in the translation where they deemed it necessary.  When the final product was checked, all seventy-two translations were found identical, word for word!  It was clear that this was a miracle.  At the time when they were at work, it might have seemed to each of the seventy-two sages that he was using his own intellect to arrive at his finished product, an accomplishment of profound wisdom.  However, when they compared and found that all were exactly identical, it was obvious that this came to be only through Divine Assistance.

This is the message of the mitzvah of Shabbos beside the mitzvah of building the Mishkan.  There is an aspect of Shabbos, we are taught, in every single mitzvah that is done l'shaim Shamayim, with the sincere intention to promote the Glory of Heaven.

Why is this intention, l'shaim Shamayim called Shabbos?  Shabbos is the day that we attest to the fact that HaKadosh Baruch Hu continually creates and sustains the entire universe.  Therefore on Shabbos, we are to rid ourselves of any thoughts of worldly endeavour and accomplishment.  Any act that is done with the recognition that the desired outcome is truly being accomplished not through our efforts and exertions, talents and intelligence, but through G-d's Will, contains in it this aspect  called "Shabbos".
"Shaishes yomim TAI'ASEH melachah", six days of the week work IS DONE."  This is the message implied in the word tai'aseh - in hispa'el (and not ta'aseh - in the simple conjugation), for even during the week it is not man that does the work...

It is with this attitude and awareness that Am Yisrael humbly united together to successfully build the Mishkan and bring the Shechinah to dwell in their midst.

Hashra'as haShechinah can only be possible where there is complete unity AND HUMILITY, bitul.  The Mishkan was not complete without every single one of it's parts.  Not even one tiny screw could be missing.  This fact was also a great cause for humility, for thus, no one had cause to feel superior to anyone.  Those involved in making the nails for the fence were no less necessary than those involved in building the Aron, the Holy Ark!!

Of what has this to with us today?  We have no Mikdash, how are we to bring Shechinah in our midst?

When we speak about Shechinah, let us understand that this is a term that includes all the good things that we want for ourselves and for all those about whom we care.  Where there is Shechinah there is bracha, blessing, there is productivity, health, love, joy, well-being, abundance, wisdom, clairvoyance, etc.
Shechinah only dwells were there is unity,  "G-d does not dwell in a fragmented place"  (Tanya).  Unity is only possible when a person is not involved in egotistical personal ambition. Drive for the attainment of personal status and prestige, for the acquisition and accumulation of wealth and power chas veshalom drives away the Shechinah.

Here are some good questions to check ourselves and our actions:

Do I laugh or look down at others as my (social, financial, intellectual, etc.) inferiors?
Is what I am doing motivated be the desire to outdo or have power over others?
Is what I seek acquired at the expense of others?
Do I feel that other people threaten my possibilities?
Do I feel happy and joyful when I hear that others are successful?
Am I able to accept what I perceive as failure without feeling flustered?
Do I feel open and respectful of others' accomplishments?
Am I ready to share my resources with others in need?

Is it our ego that drives us forward or are we sincerely attempting to function in the true capacity that is Willed by G-d?  Perhaps we can summarize with the Yiddish expression,
"A mentch tut, un Dem Aibishter Tut uff", man acts, while it is ultimately G-d that Accomplishes.

With this in mind, we move humbly and joyfully forward with the clear knowledge that no one stands in our way to fulfil our unique roles in the greater scheme of the Divine Plan.

B'Hatzlacha!

A gutten Erev Shabbos
from Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh