Parshat Ki Tisa begins with directives for the construction of the remaining objects needed for the Mishkan.  These include the copper kiyor, a receptacle holding water used by the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet prior to beginning their avoda, their holy work, in the Mishkan; the ketoret, the assorted spices which burned in the Mishkan, to produce a pleasing smell; and the shemen hamishcha, an aromatic oil used to sanctify the objects in the Mishkan.  Why were these objects mentioned last? Doing so seems in some regards to diminish their status. 

The commonality amongst these items is that they are used in preparation for, or for the enhancement of, the actual avoda itself.  This being the case, why were these items given a position of prominence in the beginning of Parshat Ki Tisa, instead of being tacked onto Parshat Tetzaveh?

Although these items are in fact not as important as the ones involved with the actual work, the fact is, these items made the avoda so much greater.

When we daven, we need to be of the proper mindset in order to truly feel that closeness, and connection to Hashem.  If we want to truly commune with Hashem, we cannot simply recite the words by rote.  If we do this, or rush through the tefillot out of a sense of obligation because we “Have to daven”, then we really have not fully fulfilled the mitzvah of tefilla. 

In order to really fulfill a mitzvah there needs to be an awareness that a mitzvah is about to be performed.  Before we make an Hamotzee, and again before Birkat Hamazone, we wash our hands, creating a physical preparedness, and awareness for the mitzvah we are about to perform.

Preparation for, and creating an environment of beauty and serenity prior to Shabbat enhances our ability to fulfill all the mitzvot of the Shabbat with greater depth and feeling.  Shopping for special foods, cooking and baking with special ingredients, and creating special delicacies, all enhance our enjoyment and fulfillment of the mitzvot of Shabbat.  Setting a table with our special dishes on a white tablecloth, with beautiful, fragrant flowers, all enhance our enjoyment and fulfillment of the mitzvot of Shabbat.  Greeting the Shabbat in a home that is clean, clutter-free, and calm, all enhance our enjoyment and fulfillment of Shabbat.

We need to take a timeout to reflect and be grateful for the gifts of our lives, and take the time to value the act of the mitzvah preceding the performance of the mitzvah.  This, and any act such as washing our hands before tefilla, will put us on a higher level, and make the mitzvah so much greater.  We need to take the time to smell the roses.  Not just some of the time, but all of the time.

Shabbat Shalom!