Perfectly Equipped: Making the Most of What We Have

We’ve all had those moments. Looking in the mirror and wishing we were different somehow – taller, thinner, richer, or more talented. It’s human nature to focus on what we lack rather than appreciate what we’ve been blessed with.

The Book of Numbers (7:1-3) offers a profound perspective on this very human struggle. It tells the story of the construction of the Tabernacle – the portable sanctuary that the Israelites carried through the desert. This wasn’t just any tent; it was adorned with gold, precious stones, and the finest materials available. No expense was spared in creating this holy space.

What seems paradoxical is that while the tribal leaders spared no expense in donating precious materials for the Tabernacle itself, they provided only six wagons to transport these priceless items. At first glance, one might wonder why they suddenly became frugal when it came to transportation. In fact, when ancient scholars calculated the exact dimensions of every item that needed to be transported, they found these wagons would be filled to absolute capacity, with not even a finger’s width of space to spare. Such precise loading would require painstaking attention to detail.

You might wonder, wouldn’t it have made sense to have some extra wagons? A little breathing room, just in case? But that’s precisely what this story teaches us: G-d doesn’t do excess. Everything – and everyone – has a precise purpose.

Consider that for a moment. Just as those wagons were exactly what was needed – no more, no less – each of us has been created with exactly the gifts, talents, and resources we need to fulfill our purpose in life. The question isn’t whether we have enough; it’s whether we’re making the most of what we’ve been given.

In our modern world of constant comparison and endless striving for more, this ancient wisdom resonates deeply. Instead of wishing for different circumstances or abilities, what if we focused on fully utilizing the gifts we already have? After all, G-d didn’t make any mistakes when He created us.

So next time you catch yourself thinking “if only I had…” remember those six perfectly packed wagons. You’ve got everything you need to fulfill your divine purpose. The real question is: are you using it all?

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger

y@tasteoftorah.org