Our haftarah relates that after completing the construction of the Beis HaMikdash, Shlomo HaMelech began its dedication. The obvious connection with our parsha, Pekudei, is the completion of the Mishkan.
Let us take a look at the Mishkan and see if we can find some practical lessons for our lives today.
Yehuda and Dan, two shevatim described as being similar to lions, each merited producing the leaders who constructed the Mishkan. The midrash states:
“Why were the tribes of Yehuda [through Betzalel] and Dan [through Ohaliav] chosen to build the Mishkan? It is because they are each likened to a lion. Regarding Yehuda it says (Bereishis 49:9), ‘Gur aryeh Yehuda, Yehuda is a lion cub’ and regarding Dan, as well, it says (Devarim 33:22), ‘Dan gur aryeh, Dan is a lion cub.’ HaKadosh Baruch Hu is also called a lion as it says (Amos 3:8), ‘Aryeh sha’ag, mi lo yirah, When a lion roars, who is not afraid?’ Furthermore, the Beis HaMikdash is a called a lion, as it says (Yeshaya 29:1), ‘Hoy, Ariel, Ariel.’ The rest of the chapter there relates Yeshaya’s laments saying, woe to the Temple that will be encircled by enemies and left barren from the Jewish people and the festivals as it mourns. Hashem thus said, ‘Let the two tribes who are likened to lions come and build the Temple, which is called a lion, for My Name, which is also called a lion.’”
The Tolna Rebbe (Pekudei 5768) explains that the Mishkan and the Batei Mikdash were going to be destroyed and it requires the middos of azus and chutzpah d’kedusha, holy brazenness and courage, to find the strength to believe they will be rebuilt. The two tribes of Yehuda and Dan laid that foundation into the building of the Mikdash for Klal Yisrael so that even with the Temple in ruins, the hope and yearning for its return would remain.
This holy brazenness comes from the strength of a lion. As the Alshich (Bereishis 49:9) writes on “kara ravatz k’aryeh u’kelavi mi yikimenu, he crouches, lies down like a lion, and like a great lion, who would dare to rouse him?” – when a lion crouches down and falls, it doesn’t lose its strength; it maintains the ability to jump up with full fierceness and power when needed. The same is true of Klal Yisrael. Dan and Yehuda gave us the courage to hope and “jump back,” as it were, to redemption and renewal when the time comes to rebuild the Beis HaMikdash, may it be soon.
The Sfas Emes (Vayechi 5651) writes on “kara ravatz k’aryeh” that the strength of a lion in regards to Yehuda is in his ability to overcome tremendous obstacles even when he is spiritually down. This was the case when Yehuda had to decide whether or not to admit what had happened with Tamar. Yehuda admitted his wrongdoing despite the great shame and embarrassment that it caused him, and, as a result, merited that Moshiach would be his descendant. In addition, the Sfas Emes explains that Yehuda’s name has all four letters of the Shem Havayah – the yud, the heh, the vav, and the heh – plus another daled to signify that when he is dal, downtrodden, Hashem remains with him.
Two of the reasons we are referred to as Yehudim is because we have the ability to humble ourselves and that Hashem stays with us even in our suffering and lowliness.
What are the lessons for us? The Shulchan Aruch begins, “Yisgaber k’ari la’amod baboker l’avodas Boro,” we must awaken like a lion in the morning to serve our Creator. This means we have to be strong and overcome the natural pull to stay in bed. The Tolna Rebbe explains that beyond the message of actually waking up with energy and enthusiasm, the Mechaber is reminding us that even though there will be many low moments during the course of our days, we have to know how to gather our strength and start anew.