Our Mission

Giving Our All

Betzalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, had carried out all that G-d had commanded Moses. With him was Oholiav son of Achisamach of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman and weaver, and an embroiderer in turquoise, purple, and scarlet wool, and in linen. 

Exodus 38:22

We are all called upon to contribute whatever we can to the Divine project of making the world into G-d’s true home. We might think that G-d values our contributions on the basis of their quality or quantity, or on the basis of our social standing. In truth, however, G-d measures our contributions by the extent to which they are the best and the maximum that each one of us can contribute.

Everyone’s maximum is different, but if we all contribute our maximum, we are all contributing equally, and thus, we all have an equal share

in the final product – fulfilling the purpose of creation.

This is why the Torah here mentions that Betzalel and Oholiav oversaw the work of the Mishkan. Betzalel could boast being a descendant of the designated royal tribe of Judah, whereas Oholiav, a descendant of the simple tribe of Dan, could make no claim to prominence. Nevertheless, they are both equally credited with the construction of the Mishkan on account of their equal devotion to the task.

Similarly, G-d holds dear all our contributions toward making the world into His home, provided that we Him give our all.

—from Daily Wisdom 3