12 Mar PARASHAT PEKUDEI: JUST SAY IT!

Parashat Pekudeh begins
with numbers. After the
Mishkan was built, Moshe
presented an accounting of
the precious metals – the
gold, silver, and copper –
which Beneh Yisrael had
donated for the building of the Mishkan,
detailing how much was collected and what
it was used for. The Midrash asks the simple
question of why this was necessary. After
all, Hashem Himself said about Moshe that
he was the most reliable and trustworthy
person. He was above suspicion. So why
did he need to make an accounting?
The Midrash explains that there were
Leitzanim – what we would call
“characters,” or “wise guys” – who made
false, baseless accusations about Moshe.
They claimed that Moshe was rich because
he took some of the precious materials that
were donated for the Mishkan. In response
to these Leitzanim, Moshe made an
accounting of these valuables. The Midrash
here teaches us something fundamental
about communication. Even if you think
something is obvious and self-evident, say

it. And even when dealing with people
whom you might regard as “lower” and less
important than you, say it. Lack of
communication can ruin any kind of
relationship, and this unfortunately happens
quite often. Bosses fail to properly
communicate their expectations to their
employees, either because they think it’s
self-understood, or because they feel it is
beneath them to do so. Many women end up
firing their housekeepers every few months
because they do not make it clear what they
want from them. And, most commonly,
husbands and wives often get into arguments
because their wishes and expectations are
not clearly expressed, and they each assume
that the other should know on his or her
own what to do or say. Moshe didn’t think
that these Leitzanim were worth his time.
Nor did he take it for granted that he should
be trusted. He went through the trouble of
making an accounting and recording it –
teaching us the simple lesson that we need
to just say it, without making assumptions.
One of the reasons why people fail to
communicate effectively is because they are
afraid they would not know what to say. But
the truth is that it isn’t hard to say the right

thing. The only rule is to
stay positive, and to avoid
being nasty or hurtful. The
Torah says about the pit
into which Yosef was
thrown by his brothers, it
was empty, without any
water. The Gemara
comments that although it
did not have water, it did
contain something else –
snakes and scorpions.
Miraculously, Yosef
survived.
One of the commentators explained that
the Torah did not want to say outright that
the pit had snakes and scorpions because
this would not sound nice. It sounds much
more pleasant to simply say that it contained
no water, subtly implying that it had deadly
snakes and scorpions. When we speak, we
should ensure that no “snakes and
scorpions” come out of our mouths. We
need to be expressive and communicative –
but without hurtful and destructive
negativity. Moshe did not insult those who
wrongly accused him. He simply gave them

the numbers. He responded without “snakes
and scorpions.” We can improve all our
relationships if we follow these two basic
rules: we make it very clear to the other
person what we want and how we feel, and
we avoid remarks that are insulting and
nasty. King Shlomo teaches in Mishleh
(18:21), “Death and life are in the hands of
the tongue, and those who love it will reap
its fruit.” Speech can build or destroy.
If we use it properly, ensuring to
communicate effectively, then we will “reap
its fruit,” and enjoy fulfilling and meaningful
relationships with the people in our lives.