Dear Friends;
I hope that you will enjoy the following Parashiot summaries followed by a Dvar Torah;
” Parashat Vayakhel 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.
” Parashat Pekudei in a Nutshell ”
After finishing all the different parts, vessels and garments used in the Mishkan, Moshe gives a complete accounting and enumeration of all the contributions and of the various clothing and vessels which had been made.
Benei Israel bring everything to Moshe. He inspects the handiwork and notes that everything was made according to G-d’s specifications. Moshe blesses the people. G-d speaks to Moshe and tells him that the Mishkan should be set up on the first day of the month of Nissan. He also tells Moshe the order of assembly for the Mishkan and its vessels. Moshe does everything in the prescribed manner. When the Mishkan is finally complete with every vessel in its place, a cloud descends upon it, indicating that G-d’s glory was resting there. Whenever the cloud moved away from the Mishkan, Benei Israel would follow it. At night the cloud was replaced by a pillar of fire.
” Dvar Torah ”
Building a Sanctuary for G-d is a very difficult task, but getting the people to donate for the cause is even more difficult! That, however, was not the case concerning the Mishkan — G-d’s mobile sanctuary in the desert. The Torah in this week’s parsha 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 baubles. 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 asked for by Hashem. But the wording that the Torah uses is a little ambiguous. The expression that the Torah uses is: “There was enough for the completion of the task, and there was extra,”!! If it was enough, how could there be extra?? Instead, It should have said “people brought MORE than enough….”!! Why does the Torah twists the words in order to create confusion? Does Hashem like to play with words, the same way as I do, or is there a deeper meaning to it?
The Chachamim give the following explanation: The people knew exactly how much to bring for the completion of the task, but they wanted to do more! Their love for building the Mishkan was so great that to just do what they were suppose to do wasn’t enough; they wanted to do extra!! And each and everyone did extra!!
But, before the pledges began arriving, the Nesseim (the Princes of the tribes) were so confident that the goals would not be met, that they pledged to fill the gap of any missing funds. They were shocked to learn that there was almost nothing for them to contribute! So much of every item was donated that an announcement was made, ordering the entire nation to halt their generosity. (It may have been the first and last of its kind!!)
According to Rashi, the Torah was not happy with the Princes’ offer. But you may ask yourself, what was wrong with their offer? If one were to question any fund-raiser as to whether he would be pleased or displeased to receive an offer such as the one made by the Princes, undoubtedly he would be thrilled with the offer. He would certainly jump at the opportunity to have someone guarantee any shortfall that remained after the collection effort was concluded. Yet, the Torah was upset at the attitude of the Princes. Their pledge may have been a great idea, financially, but donation-wise, it was a horrible concept. What were they thinking when they raised the issue that the Mishkan is going to have a ‘deficit’? Did they think that the Mishkan might not be built without their coming to the rescue? That was a wrong way of thinking. G-d has no deficits! G-d did not need their help to build the Mishkan. If the Princes wanted a portion of merit in the building the Mishkan, they should have enthusiastically offered their donations right at the beginning just like the rest of the nation. Unfortunately, they waited until it was too late!
Yes my friends, when it comes to donating to a sanctuary, the Torah is teaching us not to put conditions on our pledges. There should not be any “ifs” or “buts” when you want to make a pledge. When you want to make a donation to a house of G-d, you should do it for the love of G-d and not because you want to do them a favor. Remember that G-d has no deficits! When you are donating, you are not actually giving, but rather, you are gaining a lot more for yourself. Because G-d rewards everyone who helps to build a resting place for Him. So don’t feel proud when you make a donation to the house of G-d, but rather, feel honored that you have the privilege to be part of this great cause!
The Princes of the tribes missed the opportunity to donate to the Mishkan because they thought that donation is an act of giving rather than taking! Let us not repeat the same mistake. Let us be the first to make a donation and not the last, so that we don’t miss to be part of this great mitzvah!
Shabbat Shalom & Regards;
Martin