{"id":13434,"date":"2011-02-09T15:00:02","date_gmt":"2011-02-09T15:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/production.ou.org\/life\/other\/the_perfect_community\/"},"modified":"2015-11-02T08:33:18","modified_gmt":"2015-11-02T13:33:18","slug":"the_perfect_community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/life\/torah\/the_perfect_community\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAND YOU SHALL command the children of Israel.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Tetzaveh begins with a charge to Moshe to command the community of Israel to bring all that is needed to maintain the Menorah. He is also told to instruct the \u201cwise hearted\u201d to prepare the vestments for Aaron the Kohen. As the parasha unfolds however there seems to be an abrupt change in the manner with which G-d continued to instruct Moshe. \u201cAnd you shall make a Menorah,\u201d \u201cand you shall make a Shulchan, and the Mishkan shall you make.\u201d No longer is Moshe told to command others. The instructions are now directed towards him personally to build and create the various components of the sanctuary. If that is the case, how then do we know that it was incumbent upon Moshe to instruct and command others to build the Mishkan? To this says the Midrash Hagadol, we must refer back to the parasha\u2019s beginning, where in the very first pasuk we are indeed told V\u2019ata tetzaveh \u201cand you shall command the children of Israel,\u201d veyikchu \u201cthat they shall bring.\u201d One would then conclude that it was Moshe\u2019s role to instruct, guide and command. It was Israel\u2019s task to fulfill, create and do.<\/p>\n

This may very well be the reason as to why Moshe\u2019s name is not mentioned even once throughout the parasha. The Torah did not want to create the erroneous impression that the burden of responsibility to create and maintain a sanctuary is solely placed on the shoulders of Moshe, the leader. The responsibility of establishing a House of G-d is one to be shared by the entire community of Israel. It is the responsibility of the leader to inspire, teach and motivate. It is the community\u2019s responsibility to heed the call of its leaders and follow through on their initiatives.<\/p>\n

There are cynics among us who believe that the burdens of mikdash are to be overwhelmingly borne by communal religious leaders. Many would like to believe that it was only Moshe who was told, \u201cYou make,\u201d \u201cYou do,\u201d \u201cYou create.\u201d Many moderns mistakenly view their rabbis as the ones assigned to pray, learn, and observe mitzvot. They feel religiously comfortable when their rabbi \u201cconducts services,\u201d and officiates at religious events, as they passively look on. Frequently, companies seeking to attain kosher certification, naively inquire when the \u201crabbi will come to bless the equipment,\u201d failing to understand that much personal activity and involvement is needed to \u201cbe kosher.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Torah addresses the issue by informing us of the proper role definitions. Veata tetzaveh \u2013 your job, Moshe, is to teach, inspire, nudge and prompt the community. The community\u2019s job is to enthusiastically and generously respond \u2013 veyikchu \u2013 to generously cooperate, participate and share. When everyone carries out their given responsibility fully and honestly, a sanctuary can be built where even G-d can reside comfortably.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, now we understand,\u201d smirk the cynics. \u201cYou want to place the real burden upon the community. They need to do, bring, contribute. So, what is left for the leaders to do? You mean it\u2019s such a big deal to lead and then also get the honor, recognition and press coverage that goes with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

I am reminded of two charming stories. The first is of a poor simpleton who was befriended by a millionaire lover of music who happened to have a private orchestra. One day the simpleton approached his benefactor and requested that he be assigned a position in the orchestra. Astonished, the rich man exclaimed, \u201cI had no idea you could play an instrument.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d was the simpleton\u2019s response. \u201cBut I see you have a man there who does nothing but wave a stick around while the others are really working hard, playing. His job I can handle.\u201d Don\u2019t so many feel the same about their leaders? They do nothing but wave sticks around. The community\u2019s members \u2013 they work hard!<\/p>\n

The second story is also about a famous conductor, who was rehearsing a great symphony orchestra. Everything seemed to be going perfectly; 150 skilled musicians were responding to the maestro\u2019s guiding hands.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, in midst of a fortissimo passage, the conductor rapped the music stand. There was a sudden silence. \u201cWhere is the piccolo?\u201d the conductor demanded.<\/p>\n

The piccolo player had missed his entry, and the trained ear of the conductor, even in midst of the glorious volume of sound which filled the hall, had noted its absence. \u201cWhere is the piccolo\u201d?<\/p>\n

Trained, seasoned and sensitive leaders keep their eyes and ears attuned to the role and mission of every community member. When everyone plays together as a committed member of one orchestra, closely watching and following the leader\u2019s beat, we have a perfect community. And that deserves thunderous applause!<\/p>\n

\n

Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Safran serves as OU Kosher\u2019s<\/a> Vice President of Communications and Marketing.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cAND YOU SHALL command the children of Israel.\u201d Tetzaveh begins with a charge to Moshe to command the community of Israel to bring all that is needed to maintain the Menorah. He is also told to instruct the \u201cwise hearted\u201d to prepare the vestments for Aaron the Kohen. As the parasha unfolds however there seems<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":296,"featured_media":47892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,83],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-torah"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Perfect Community - OU Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are cynics who believe the burdens of Mikdash should be borne by leaders. 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