ועשית את הקרשים למשכן עצי שטים עמדים ... (כו-טו)
Cedar wood was one of the materials used in building the Mishkan. The Medrash quotes Rav Chanina who said: “The world was not fit to utilize cedar trees. They were created only for the Mishkan and the Bais Hamikdash.” What makes cedar trees so profoundly unique that the world did not deserve them?
The Seforim Hakedoshim tell us that every physical thing in this world correlates to something Ruchniyusdik. A cedar tree is no different. Rebbi Elazar was once riding his donkey when an exceedingly ugly man approached him. Rebbi Elazar made a disparaging comment to him, and when the Talmidim found out, he said in regret, “A person should always be soft like a reed and not stiff like a cedar.” (Taanis 20). A cedar tree represents strength, resolve and firmness. Even today, cedar trees are known for their quality and resilience, and are often the source of solid wood products used in furniture. It is this midah that naturally has no place in this world, as Rebbi Elazar said, but for the Mishkan and Bais Hamikdash, it certainly did. Why is that?
There is a fascinating Gemara in Yoma (72). “Perhaps you will say, now that the Mishkan is no longer in use, their hope is lost and their chance is over. Therefore, the posuk states "עומדים" - to indicate that they “stand forever and ever.” The קרשים, like other parts of the Mishkan, were buried in the ground, and while the gold plate would naturally last, the wood should have become wormy and rotten. But it did not. Says the Shem Mishmuel, this idea is to give strength to us Yidden. The purpose of the Mishkan was to show how much Hashem loves us, and His desire to dwell amongst His children. One may have thought that today when we have no Home for Hashem, we should give up. Why would Hashem desire us even in such a morally low state? For this reason, Hashem chose cedars to be the source for the wood. To signify the lasting endurance of the bond we have with Hashem. Even today, we remain steadfast in our connection with Hashem, tough and undecayed, just like the cedar.