Built from the HeartImagine hearing about a woman who works tirelessly to ensure every child in her city has milk for breakfast. She personally delivers fresh milk to families each day, even in terrible weather. We would likely consider her among the city’s righteous. But if we later discovered she was doing this primarily to promote her new food vending business, our perception would shift. There is nothing wrong with entrepreneurship—but her actions would no longer appear purely altruistic. The difference lies in one thing: intent. When the Jewish people were commanded to build the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary that would accompany them in the wilderness, the Torah states: Take for Me a portion from every person whose heart motivates him. (Exodus 25:2) The phrase “Take for Me” teaches that the donations had to be given for G-d’s sake—even though G-d, obviously, does not need a house or our money. The giving was not for Him but it had to be for Him. The intent defined the act. Life is not only about choosing between right or wrong, it is also about why we choose what we choose. Intent shapes reality because it shapes us. It influences how we interpret situations and how we behave in response. Consider a father taking his daughter out to dinner. She understands his love and responds warmly. However, if during her summer internship, a male coworker, one she feels uncomfortable around, invites her to the same restaurant, she will understand that he has other intentions and might turn down his invitation. The external action is identical but the perceived intent makes all the difference. This is especially true in marriage and relationships. Often conflicts are not about what happened, but about what we believe the other person intended. If someone’s underlying mindset is self-protection, every request can feel like criticism or control. However, when one’s intent is to build a loving and secure relationship, he or she will interpret situations more generously and respond more thoughtfully. Most people are not out to harm us. They may be flawed, stressed, or hurting, and they might communicate in a negative way but they are rarely malicious by nature. When we consistently assume negative motives, it may be time to look inward. Changing our intent and perspective creates new possibilities. The Mishkan could only be built with the right intention. Just as we must bring proper intent when building a dwelling place for G-d, so too we must examine our intent when building our relationships. Our intentions determine not only how we act, but ultimately, who we become.The Mishkan teaches us that holiness begins in the heart. Gold without intent is just metal. Words without intent are just noise. But when our actions flow from love and sincerity, they become sacred. This week we are not building a Tabernacle in the desert—we are building our homes, our marriages, our friendships. And perhaps the sanctuary G-d seeks most is not made of wood and gold, but of pure intention and the way we choose to treat one another. Good Shabbos (Sources: Ohr Yoel quoted in Growth Through Torah; Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz, Terumah 5763) |
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