Only The Best

My beloved friend Avraham Beard worked for the legendary advertiser Colin Millward as a marketing creator. When Avraham brought him an idea, Millward would simply look at it and either nod or shake his head. If he shook it, it meant Avraham had to go back to the drawing board. Inevitably, Avraham received a few shakes before getting a nod, which came only when  Avraham had produced his absolute best. Avraham went on to win many awards. 

I was thinking about Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler’s profound question: Are you a giver or a taker? Now, of course, we all want to be givers. But it’s not so simple. To give, you need a recipient — someone who truly benefits from what you offer. That means understanding what they actually need and whether you can genuinely provide it. And then, if you give, you have to give your best. 

The Torah introduces this idea through the story of Cain and Abel’s sacrifices. Cain’s offering is not accepted. It isn’t good enough. The rejection pains him so deeply that he murders his brother in an attempt to escape the shame. But the question remains, why didn’t God accept it? Because when God is the recipient, He demands that our gift be as perfect as we can make it, and Cain could have done better. 

This week’s double portion, Vayakeil and Pekudei, is difficult to read. They repeat, in detail, the materials and construction of the Tabernacle. Every measurement. Every material. Every thread. 

However, if we consider what they were doing, it makes perfect sense. If you are going to build a house in honor of God, it must be as perfect as we can possibly make it.

Today, we no longer have a Temple or bring sacrifices. Synagogues and prayer have taken their place. The principle, however, remains the same: If we are going to offer praises to God, they have to be the very best we can offer.