Dear Friends;

I hope that you will enjoy the following Parsha summary followed by a Dvar Torah;

” Parsha in a Nutshell “

Moshe advices Benei Israel to keep Shabbat once again, and requests donations for the materials for making the Mishkan–portable Sanctuary for G-d. He collects gold, silver, precious stones, skins and yarn, as well as incense and olive oil for the Menorah and for anointing. The princes of each tribe bring the precious stones for the Kohen Gadol’s breastplate and ephod- an apronlike vestment worn just underneath the breastplate.

G-d appoints Bezalel and Oholiav as the master craftsmen. Benei Israel contribute so much that Moshe begins to refuse donations. Special curtains with two different covers were designed for the Mishkan’s roof and door. Gold-covered boards in silver formed the Mishkan’s walls. Bezalel made the Holy Ark from wood covered with gold. On the Ark’s cover were two figures facing each other (Cherubim). The Menorah and the Table were also of gold. Two altars were made: a small incense altar of wood overlaid with gold, and a larger altar for sacrifices made of wood covered with copper.

” Dvar Torah “

In last week’s Parsha, we just read the tragic story of the Golden Calf. Unfortunately, the children of Israel committed a grave sin. They made themselves a molten imagine and began to worship it while Moses was away. When Moses came down the mountain and saw the calf, the Torah says the people were “peruah”, meaning “wild, disorderly, chaotic, unruly, lawless.” He saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control……

So what did Moshe do to restore order? How did he bring them back to worship G-d instead of an idol?

Well, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks says that the answer can be found in the beginning of this week’s Parsha. The Parsha starts by saying “Vayakhel Moshe”, “Moses gathered” the people…. Vayakhel comes from the word “Kehila”, meaning “community”. When Moses came down the mountain, he didn’t see a community, but just a crowd! So, he decided to gather them together and make them into a community again, because you can only find G-d in a community! Even to this day, community is essential for our spiritual life. Our holiest prayers require a minyan. When we celebrate or mourn we do so as a community. Even when we confess on Yom Kippur, we do so together. Judaism attaches great significance to the individual. Every life is like a universe. Each one of us are made in image of God. Although Judaism values the individual, it does not endorse individualism. Ours is a religion of community. For us the key relationship is not “I shall do”, but “We shall do”!!

But the main topic of discussion for the rest of the Parsha is about “donations” for the Mishkan. The Torah tells us that EVERYONE contributed to the cause. Men and women brought gold and silver. They brought personal items and family items. Copper mirrors were donated as well as bracelets, bangles and earrings. Those who had wool and linen came and those who had dyes donated. The Torah triumphantly declares the generosity of the donors by announcing that the people brought more than enough contributions than were supposed to.

But what is fascinating, is that the Torah separates one group of contributors and mentions them on their own. The Torah says: “And all those who Hashem inspired with wisdom to do the work (the builders), they took in front of Moshe the donations that the Jews brought for the work of the Mishkan, and they brought an additional offering for themselves each morning”.

The question that comes to mind is why does the Torah single out “the builders” in regards to the contributions? Didn’t EVERYONE contribute? Why to show favoritism to one group and not to others?!

Rabbi Kamenetsky gives the following answer. The men and women who have put in so much time and effort in the construction of the Mishkan could have easily said that they had done their share. But no, that was not enough for them! The Torah tells us that they, too, gave contributions each morning! They wanted to give more than just their time and their skill; they wanted to give their possessions too!! The efforts of these individuals were crowned by their relentless generosity. And that is the extraordinary action which is praiseworthy in the eyes of Hashem!!

We always get a better understanding of the Torah when we see a live demonstration. When we see those members of our own community who spend so much of their time and energy to build for us beautiful Synagogues, sanctuaries, schools, social halls for the youth and the elderly, and many more projects for the community, without getting paid a single penny, you would have thought that they’ve done their share!! But no, it’s not enough for them; they want to contribute more!!! We see that the majority of them are among the list of high-donors to our Shuls!! For them, giving their relentless time and energy is not enough, they want to contribute their money too!! These are the people that Hashem has singled out in this week’s parsha and has praised them; so why can’t we??

Yes my friends, community and donations are the main sources of our connection to G-d. This week’s parsha is one of the few parashiot in the whole Torah that G-d, Moses and the Benei Israel lived together in perfect harmony. No more complaints from the Benei Israel; no more Moshe being angry at the people; no more Hashem being angry at them and no more Hashem calling them a “stiff neck” people! It seems that community and donations not only bring the people closer to G-d, but they also bring out the best in everyone!

So remember my friends, in order to be a Jew, you need to belong to a community. And to be part of a community, you need to donate to the House of G-d. This is what pleases G-d and should please us too!

Shabbat Shalom & Regards;

Martin