Don't procrastinate#Shabbatshekalim#vayakal#Parashathashavua#devartorah

I remember once when I was on a rabbinic Israel Bonds trip to Israel the group was taken to a college which prided itself being on the cutting edge of innovation. The Rabbi who introduced the speaker from the college was from Mexico. He told us that Israel really wasn’t the “Country of Tomorrow;” Mexico was the “Country of Tomorrow.” He continued, “Whenever you want something done now, the person in charged will say, ‘Come back Mañana!”

This week’s Torah portion, Vayakel, has something to say about procrastination. “The chieftains brought lapis lazuli and other stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece;” (Exodus 35:27) Rashi commenting on this verse writes, “R. Nathan asked, “What reason had the princes to give their contributions at the dedication of the altar (Numbers 7:12ff.) first of all the people, whereas at the work of the Tabernacle they were not the first, but the last to contribute?” But — replied he — the princes spoke thus: “Let the community in general contribute all they with to give and what will then be lacking we shall supply” But when the community gave everything needed in its entirety — as it is said, (Exodus 36:7) “For the stuff they had was enough [for all the work to make it, and some was left]” — the princes asked, “What can we now do?” therefore הביאו את אבני השהם וגו׳ THEY BROUGHT THE ONYX STONES etc. That is why they were the first to contribute at the consecration of the altar. Because, however, they were dilatory at the beginning, a letter is missing here from their title (thus intimating that something, viz., zeal was lacking in them): for it is written והנשאם instead of והנשיאים (Numbers Rabbah 12:16).”(Sefaria.org translation)

Everybody procrastinates at one time or another. Here are some tips for overcoming procrastination

·        Whatever It Is, Just Start. The surest way to beat procrastination is to start doing what you have been dreading. ...

·        Break the Task Down Into Small, Manageable Chunks. ...

·        Become More Organized. ...

·        Increase Your Motivation. ...

 

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today-Abraham Lincoln