“Moshe saw the entire work, and behold they had done it; as Hashem had commanded, so had they done. So Moshe blessed them.” (Shemos 39:43)

Simply speaking, Moshe blessed Bnei Yisrael on the completion of the building of the Mishkan. But there’s another point here, as well.

The pasuk says, “as Hashem had commanded, so had they done.” The work they did in building the Mishkan was a mitzvah. If they’d neglected the mitzvah and done a poor job of it, they’d have been guilty of transgressing Hashem’s commandment.

But they did the work with effort and alacrity, and they did it well. Therefore, Moshe blessed them that they should experience Hashem’s pleasure with the work of their hands. (Rav Shimshon Pincus, Tiferes Shimshon)

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” (The author of that phrase remains unknown. Personally, I believe it’s because she’s remaining absent, realizing the longer she stays away, the more she’ll be appreciated.)

I’ve seen this in action countless times. Mommies make magic. They fade into the background, casting spells and creating concoctions not previously known to mankind, and lo and behold, stains vanish, meals appear on time, and lost items are found.

My children accept their matched socks, fresh sandwiches in their knapsacks, and their favorite cereals as run-of-the-mill daily conveniences. Did they ever wonder where the moldy sandwiches in their knapsacks miraculously disappeared to?

This is an important practical lesson for us. Our homes are a mini-Mishkan. And there’s someone in the background keeping it clean, “building” it with good taste, and running it with precision. All this takes a lot of hard work.

Every Erev Shabbos, the woman of the house is busy preparing extra-delicious food while cleaning the house to a shine. It’s easy to think, “Well, this is her job, her tafkid, and that’s why she’s doing a good job of it.” But with that attitude, we neglect to show appreciation for a job well done.

We have to learn from Moshe Rabbeinu, who blessed Bnei Yisrael for doing what they were supposed to be doing. He blessed them with the brachah that the Shechinah should be happy with their work — a brachah that contains all other brachos within it. 

“So what did you do today?” my husband asks.

I didn’t think he’d be interested in knowing I’d discovered a tiny ball of playdough in the dryer that was dyeing all my whites. Nor did I think it was any major newsflash that I’d found the wand to my immersion blender outside in the geranium pot. I did a thousand and one things today, but none of them had resulted in completed tasks or a sense of accomplishment.

But bottom line, if I weren’t doing all these crucial tasks, who would be? Did my children even know to check their pockets before putting their clothes in the hamper so they didn’t lose their report cards (which they’d folded into origami and placed into their pants for safekeeping)?

What did I do today? I had no idea. Neither did my family. It was time for them to find out.

If we want the Shechinah to dwell in our households, we have to bless and appreciate the one who’s behind it all. Thank her when she’s doing the work and thank her when the work is done. Give a compliment on Erev Shabbos and give a bigger one after the Shabbos seudah when you’ve enjoyed the fruits of her labor.

Chazal tell us that one who doesn’t appreciate the good people do for him will also not appreciate the good Hashem gives him. When we show appreciation to our spouses or our mothers, then we are learning to appreciate Hashem.

Generally, when I plan to fly overseas, I check schedules, make long lists, and write manuals such as: 101 Reasons Why the Microwave Won’t Start. But recently I went on an impromptu two-day trip in the middle of the week and took my girls with me. My sons were left with the caveat, b’makom she’ein ishah…

“Mommy,” said Yitzi on the phone that first night. “When you’re here, I don’t think you do anything. But now that you’re not here, nothing is getting done!”

Ah, how sweet is appreciation from the mouths of babes.

I returned home refreshed, confident that my male progeny had successfully completed their refresher course in Mommy Appreciation 101.

But children have a habit of forgetting life’s lessons quickly. I may need to take off again soon.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 633)