Vayekhel/Pekudei: Never Underestimate Yourself

Avi Becker (’24)

Last Week’s Solution

After the building of the Mishkan, G-d designated Betzalel, who was only thirteen at the time, to oversee the construction. This is learned from Sanhedrin 69b. Now you would seldom find a thirteen-yearold with the skills required to construct a structure of this stature, let alone the holiest building in the world at this time. Even more miraculous is that the Jews at this time expectedly would not have the skills required in order to accomplish the tasks set out for them on account of the backbreaking labor they did in Egypt, which wasn’t exactly conducive to such tasks. G-d doing this is primarily represented as his expression of his ultimate mastery of the world and his ability to let these measly humans serve him beyond their natural capabilities of them and give them the resources necessary to do so. However, there’s something else you can learn from this. The Chachamim taught about Betzalel that he had a level of knowledge that was similar to that which G-d created the universe with. This little kid who most of the people reading this are older than, already had the capabilities to perform this task.

Often kids grow up thinking that they are incapable of doing certain tasks due to their age. For some reason, they believe that their age they are is the most prominent factor to perform tasks rather than hard work. Although I would not suggest doing exactly what the following example represents, it shows something beautiful. The following is excerpted from an episode of the famous kids' show Phineas and Ferb:

Building Engineer: Aren't you a little young to build a rollercoaster?

Phineas: Yes, yes I am.

Building Engineer: Well I must say that I'm really quite impressed, but all your permits are in order. Don't forget the bricks and mortar and if you need a power loader, be my guest. But if I'm pressed, I'd say you look a little young to drive a forklift. never be great in basketball as he, himself (the father) is already below average. Upon seeing how dejected he made his son feel Christopher realized his mistake and quickly stated:

Phineas: Yes, yes I am.

“Hey. Don’t ever let somebody tell you… You can’t do something. Not even me. Alright? You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do something’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something’, go get it. Period.”

However, this is all from Ki Sisa. What does this have to do with the double parsha of Vayakhel-Pekudei that we’re reading this week?

Building Engineer: It's good to see a younger guy like you who's creative and ambitious. A little bigger than his britches. And who's got a fresh, exciting point of view. Yes, it's true!

That you seem a little young to do the things that you do, even with all that moxie you've got. Yes, you seem a little green to be controlling this machinery.

Phineas: Yeah, I get that a lot.

Although this story is fabricated it shows something beautiful. This building engineer, who did not know this kid before, put full faith in him, despite his age, due to the hard work he put in and how wellorganized he was. The point is, don’t let someone tell you, you can't, especially because of age.

In the movie The Pursuit of Happyness while shooting a basketball with his son Christopher (Jaden Smith), Chris Gardner (Will Smith) said to his son that he will

Vayakhel, “And you shall gather,” is generally seen as a reference to the unification of all the entities in our diverse world, uniting them in the spiritual sense. Pekudei, by contrast, means “counting,” and highlights how every entity possesses its own unique importance, for every creation was given a special nature with which it can serve G-d.

Even though each creature has its open ability to serve G-d though, just as children often feel that they can independently make intelligent choices. It is often important to remember, just as Vayakehl is read with Pekudei, that sometimes relying on those around you, who are smarter than you, can have tremendous benefits.

I was told a great related analogy by my esteemed Rabbi, Rabbi Gelb: Imagine you’re lost in a corn maze. Corn surrounds you in every direction. And let’s add to this situation that you see someone on a raised platform in the middle. You’d go to them for help, right? So too, when there is someone near you who is raised above you, you should turn to them for help.