Key to Success

There is an interesting parallel between Moshe Rabbeinu and Shlomo Hamelech. Both of these great leaders merited dedicating our holy Temple.

In Moshe’s case, he dedicated the Mishkan, the portable Temple, that stood for 479 years. Shilo was the home of the Mishkan for 369 of those years.

Shlomo Hamelech dedicated his Temple in Jerusalem, that was a magnificent structure. It lasted for 410 years, before it was destroyed by Nevuchadnezzar and the Babylonians.

The similarity between Moshe and Shlomo, was the charge they gave to the people upon completion. Both gave the same reminder that applies to all of us today.
The specialness of the day would last indefinitely, and the Divine Presence would remain with the people, as long as they remembered to faithfully observe the Torah. They must never forget that their every success, depended on the realization, that success comes from Hashem.

When we make the foolish mistake that we are in control of our destiny, we fall.
The magnificent Mishkan and Temple of Solomon ultimately fell, because the people forgot this message. The more we realize our own vulnerability, the greater the chance of success.