The Foundation Of Emunah

Rashi brings from the Tanchuma that the cedar trees used in the mishkan were obtained from trees Yaakov planted in Egypt.  Asks the Even Ezra asks how do we know that the trees were planted by Yaakov, the trees could have been obtained from the surrounding nations or from an oasis in the desert?  The Rebbe explains that all the donations are connected to the verb of veyikchu which implies that the donation was already in the possession of the people, and all they had to do was give it.  How did they already have trees in their possession?  Rashi explains that they had trees in their possession for Yaakov already planted them.

However, why did Yaakov plant the trees if there were other means of obtaining wood for the mishkan?  And why does Rashi say the comment comes from the Tanchuma, what does the source add?  The Rebbe explains that Yaakov didn’t plant the trees because there was a lack of wood; he planted trees because there was a lack of emunah.  Klal Yisroel sunk so low in the golus that they would’ve given up on being redeemed.  However, when they saw the trees that Yaakov planted, they were reminded of the promise of geulah.  It was the trees that gave them the hope to realize that one day they would be redeemed.  That’s why Rashi cites the Tanchuma.  Tanchuma comes from the word nechame.  Rashi is hinting to this idea that the trees served as the comfort for Klal Yisroel.  The Rebbe goes on to explain that the trees of our generation are the tzadik katamar yifrach.  The tzaddikim who constantly remind us about the geulah give us the strength to reach the goal (Likutay Sichos volume 31.) [See also Emes L'Yaakov here and in Vayigash 46:1 and see here.]

The trees were used to make the beams, the basic structure of the mishkan.  It is the foundations of emunah u’bitachon that our (for)fathers instill in us that give us the capability to build a mishkan.  It is only because of the אלקי אבי that there can be a זה קלי ואנוהו.  It is only an unshakable foundation from the avos that we can build a beautiful structure on top of it (Mayen Hashavua.)