“…Let them take for me a portion…And I will dwell within them.” (Shemos 25:2,8).

Chazal tell us that the word “li” (for me) in the above verse means that a person should give the terumah to Hashem selflessly. So too the gemora says about the making of the mishkan that it should be done selflessly – without ulterior motives.

Rav Elya Lopian asks, “Why is it here in particular that the Torah says that this mitzvah must be done lishma? Furthermore, Chazal say that a person should do all mitzvos at least shelo lishma – so why here is there a special condition that the mitzvah be done selflessly – lishma?

He answers his question by setting forth a principle about doing mitzvos in general. A lulav or matzah must be taken or consumed, respectively. These mitzvos are then done and complete. The amount of lishma that was included in their performance will definitely be noticeable in the next world where reward is given to this person. The changes that the mitzvah causes in the heavenly spheres will also, in turn, affect us in our lives here.

But these changes and credits that were caused by doing the mitzvah are not the ultimate purpose in performing the mitzvah. The success of the mitzvah is measured by whether the act was done properly or not. When building a Mishkan, while it is true that the execution of the mitzvah is important, but the building is only a means towards an end. In fact, Moshe Rabbeinu during the yemei hameluim (days of dedicating the Mishkan) made a special prayer that the Divine Presence should reside in the work of our (Bnei Yisrael’s) hands. Moshe Rabbeinu was obviously able to see and supervise all that transpired in the preparation. Why was it necessary to have this extra prayer?

The real answer is that prayer is always proper. However, the central theme of the Mishkan is the second half of the verse, “…and I (Hashem) will dwell amongst them (the Bnei Yisrael).” That means that one could actually build the mishkan, fulfilling the mitzvah of building the Mikdash, and yet the Divine Presence will not reside there! What is the ingredient that will bring about the Divine presence? Doing the mitzvah lishma – for the glory of Hashem! When someone does a mitzvah for his own glory, as great as an accomplishment it may be, nevertheless without doing it lishma, it moves Hashem away from being center stage. This causes the Divine Presence not to dwell there.

We can also learn this lesson from Queen Esther. Esther said, “I am willing to sacrifice myself for the sacred cause of saving Klal Yisrael” and that brought about a special bond between all of klal Yisrael and Hashem. Selflessness is what bolsters any relationship and in the Mishkan, it is what made Hashem feel “comfortable”. Those people who perform mitzvos for external reasons may get full credit, but they do not improve their relationship with Hashem.

In this month of Adar, there are many opportunities to get close to Hashem. From giving of the shekalim to the rejoicing that we accepted the Torah with joy, all the mitzvos of the month can be used to strengthen our bond with Hashem and should be a merit that we generate hashro’as haschina in our personal homes. May we merit to build the Beis Hamikdash, for Hashem’s honor alone.