VAYAKHEL - PEKUDAI 1979

Women's mirrors symbol of truth.  Truth most important value in Judaism.  Without truth nothing can stand.  Rambam says if we can prove beyond doubt that flood didn't occur then we'll have to reinterpret story of flood.  When women wanted to give their copper mirrors as an offering Moshe at first didn't want to accept them.  After all, they were objects of vanity.  But G‑d told him to accept them.  And what's more, he told Moshe to use them to make the laver, the utensils which were used by the cohaneem to wash in before doing the service.  There is one thing about a mirror it doesn't life.  A woman has to believe what she sees and make herself accordingly.  A little part here, a little powder here.  We, too, have to immerse ourselves in truth before we serve G‑d.  We have to know where we are and where the Congregation is before can do anything.  We can't live in a dream world of our own making.  Many times it's hard to face truth but only if we face truth can we become beautiful people.  That's what the mirror teaches us.  Story about President who went to Russia asked worker how lived.  Said he had big house in country, drove a Zel auto.  President asked him what next major purchase would be.  He said, pair of shoes.  Truth always comes out.