Cinderelly, Cinderelly
Night and day it's Cinderelly
Make the fire, fix the breakfast
Wash the dishes, do the mopping
And the sweeping and the dusting
They always keep her hopping
She goes around in circles .....
Like Cinderella toiling endlessly, Aaron the High Priest felt distressed. The tribal leaders brought lavish gifts for the Tabernacle's dedication, but Aaron and his tribe were excluded. He worried he wouldn't measure up.
We all have times when we feel inferior to others. They get the accolades, the buildings named after them, while we're left with the grunt work. Aaron faced this quandary - what was G-d 's response? "Yours is greater than theirs, for you will light and tend the lamps." More mundane tasks? Cleaning the oil lamps, preparing the wicks, relighting them?
What is greater - love or commitment? G-d told Aaron, yes they received titles and glory, but you will have a daily relationship with Me.
A lesson is this: Disassembling the Menorah, cleaning it, reassembling it, refilling it, relighting it - all were part of the mitzvah of kindling the lamps. Every step, a labor of love. Rather than delegate any part, Aaron joyfully did it all himself with trademark diligence, a quality that became hallmark of priests forever after.
G-d 's command to Aaron was an immense gift. The princes' dedication was a one-time event, grand but fleeting. The Menorah was daily, allowing constant growth, connection and elevation through each daily service. Each task, no matter how lowly outwardly, was glorious to him inwardly.
So it is with every mitzvah. We must aspire to this understanding - to revel in our daily opportunities to connect with G-d . The same way we can revel in a good relationship doing the mundane work which is ultimately a connection to our partner, or child or friend. Whether changing diapers or taking out garbage, giving them a ride to work or a game, or simply going out for a coffee, this "grunt work" of maintaining relationships is greater than public honors.
What "grunt work" relationship builder do you revel in?
Have a good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi
anonymous wrote...