Maximizing our Potential
There is a famous anecdote that tells of the Sage Reb Zusha of Anipoli (1718, Tarnow, Poland- 1800, Anipoli, Ukraine) relating to his disciples, “When I go up to heaven after my time on earth is completed, I am not afraid of being asked why I was not as great as Moses, after all, G‑d already has a Moses. I am afraid, however, of being asked, ‘Zusha, why weren’t you Zusha?’ ”
It is tempting to look towards others and excuse our shortcomings by saying, “if only I had those talents, that creativity, the wealth, or the education etc., then I would be happy and successful”. But, in truth, each of us are given by G-d the exact talents, opportunities and resources which we need in order to fulfill our specific mission in life. Instead of desiring what we don’t yet have, we should rather focus on maximizing the potential we already possess.
Of course, it is of utmost importance to have mentors and to expand our horizons by learning positive lessons from others, but it should never come at the expense of forfeiting and underutilizing the abilities we were already given.
A well-run business or organization, big or small, keeps accountability of each employee on the team, every client they serve, and all their profits and losses.
In the bigger picture, even if one employee is not fulfilling their responsibility, it could have a negative impact on the entire workforce, a small sum of money unaccounted for could eventually lead to a much greater amount, and obviously, one disgruntled client’s experience may negatively influence many other people.
However, more importantly, an idle employee, a misspent dollar, or an unhappy client is a waste of a valuable opportunity in itself. What may seem insignificant to one person, may be life-changing for another. Our responsibility is to treat each moment, every individual and every encounter as if it is the most important issue at hand and ensure it is being dealt with in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Among the many teachings in this week’s Torah portion, Naso, we learn about the contributions of the leaders of the twelve tribes towards the inauguration of the newly erected Tabernacle. The Torah describes how, among many other items, the leaders donated wagons and oxen that were to be used to transport the Tabernacle during their many travels throughout the years in the desert. As the verse states, “They brought their offering before the Lord: six covered wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for each two chieftains, and an ox for each one; they presented them in front of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).” - Numbers 7:3
Surprisingly, the twelve leaders chipped in to provide only six wagons on behalf of them all. Out of honor for G-d's home on earth, everything involved in the Temple service was performed in a wealthy, even opulent manner, with no considerations for cost. So why did the leaders, who were meant to serve as role-models, scrimp on the wagons and oxen, sharing in their cost and donating exactly the bare minimum of wagons to be able to carry the load?
The Talmud (Shabbat 99a) analyzes the size of the wagons in precise detail and explains how the various parts of the Tabernacle fit in them. The Talmud proves that each wagon was filled to capacity without any extra space remaining. This of course required much effort on behalf of the Jewish people to work efficiently and ensure everything was stacked properly. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to have a few more wagons available to allow for additional space?
More importantly, the Torah is not a history book but rather serves as a guide and inspiration for us on how to lead our lives. What possible lesson can we learn from this teaching that is relevant to our modern-day lives?
The leaders understood that everything exists in the world for a purpose. Despite the opulence displayed in the Temple, there was no extravagance—there was nothing that was unnecessary and did not serve a purpose. If six wagons were sufficient, then any extra ones would be a waste of precious resources. It would be better to direct the additional funds, despite its seemingly inconsequential value, towards other important needs.
This concept is true not only in the Tabernacle, but also in the entire world and in the personal Tabernacle we make of our lives. Everything that G-d created, He created for a purpose. If anything is being wasted, its purpose is not being fulfilled. If a person does not fully utilize his or her potential, they are frustrating the purpose of creation and delaying the construction of their "personal Tabernacle."
The Torah recognizes the differences which exist among people and takes into consideration a person’s circumstances in regards to the fulfillment of certain Mitzvot.
For example, in regards to philanthropy, the Torah instructs us to give 10% of our income to charity. For one person it may mean contributing $10 million and for another person it may mean $5k. Both individuals equally fulfill their obligation, since the Mitzvah is fulfilled based on one's personal income, not by an arbitrary amount. Furthermore, the Talmud (Taanit 9a) teaches that if a person desires to become wealthy, they may test G-d by over-extending themselves with the expectation of being repaid much more in return. For, especially in regards to charity, G-d repays in abundance based on one's efforts.
By fully utilizing everything at our disposal and living up to our own potential, we indeed build the Tabernacle G-d wants and thereby fulfill the Divine plan and act as proper vehicles for spreading G-dly light throughout the world.
Just as a physical home is built and designed with the specific intent of serving the needs of the occupants of the home, so too, each Mitzvah we perform creates the precise home which G-d has empowered us to form on earth. As the Midrash states, “The ultimate purpose for which the universe was created is that the Holy One, blessed be He, desired to have a dwelling place in the lower worlds”. Our cumulative actions will usher in the final redemption when this home will finally be completed.
