Hayom Yom 16 Adar 1 - The shinning mirrors donated by the women

רַבֵּנוּ הַזָּקֵן אָמַרThe Alter Rebbe once taught: בִּתְרוּמַת הַמִּשְׁכָּן הָיוּ זָהָב וָכֶסֶף וּנְחוֹשֶׁתThe contributions toward the construction of the Sanctuary [in the wilderness] included gold, silver and copper, וְלֹא הָיָה דָּבָר הַמַּבְרִיק זוּלַת מַרְאוֹת הַצּוֹבְאוֹת שֶׁמֵהֶן נַעֲשׂוּ הַכִּיּוֹר וְכַנּוֹbut the only items that shone were the women’s [copper] mirrors, from which the basin and its stand were made. הַכִּיּוֹר וְכַנּוֹ הֵם הַבָּאִים בָּאַחֲרוֹנָה מִכָּל כְּלֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּןAnd though the basin and its stand are listed last among all the holy vessels, וְתַשְׁמִישׁוֹ הוּא בְּרֹאשׁ כָּל עֲבוֹדוֹת הַמִּשְׁכָּןthey were used before all the services in the Sanctuary — כִּי נָעוּץ תְּחִלָּתָן בְּסוֹפָןfor “the beginning is rooted in the end.”Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in English