Greetings,
When looking for Divrei Torah, one usually starts at the beginning of the parasha, making his way through. If there is anything that grabs his attention, he will look into it. Due to the greatness of the Torah, one cannot get passed the first few passukim without finding something beautiful to say over. This week, I have become victim to this, and I will say over a thought I heard in the name of Rav Ganz, one of the rebbeim at Yeshivat Sha'alvim on the very beginning of the parasha.
In Parashat Terumah, Hashem starts off by commanding Moshe Rabbeinu to collect donations that would contribute to the funds of the Mishkan, the temporary Beit Hamikdash that they used in the desert. There are all types of collections: gold, silver, copper, different dyes of wool, wood, oil, spices, stones, etc. All of these contributions paid for one of three things: (1) the "adanim" - "sockets" - i.e. the actual construction of the mishkan building; (2) the animals that they brought for the communal sacrifices, that were offered on behalf of all of us; and (3) everything else they needed for the mishkan.
These are all different causes that have nothing to do with each other. Why does Hashem include them all in one statement? "They should take contributions for me" (Shemot 25:2). Shouldn't Hashem mention the different causes? From Hashem's command, it sounds as though He doesn't even care what our donations go toward. All we have to do is giving something. It doesn't even matter why we're giving, or what it will result to.
And just to help understand it better, we'll ask one more question. Hashem says that should donate with good intentions, with the intent that this is all going for Hashem. Why? If I hand $100 (or shekel) to a poor person, he would not care if I were giving it to him genuinely or for some other motive. He gets his money. If all we're trying to do is raise money for the house of Hashem, then why do those funds need to be handed over with intent that it is all for the sake of Hashem? Why are we focusing on the action as opposed to the result?
In truth, this is not like any other tzedaka to help a cause. This is NOT like supporting the needy. When giving money to the poor, your intentions are immaterial. All they need is your signature on a check, preferably a blank one. But when contributing to the house of Hashem, this is not so. Do you really think Hashem needs our money? I'm sure there were a couple of rich men that would be more than glad to basically pay for the entire thing, from beginning to end. After all, this is Hashem's house on this world. Why ask the masses to donate?
The reason is that these donations were not for Hashem, but for the masses. Hashem wants us to feel that we are a part of it. It's not about the money. It's about the action of giving. It's about feeling that we are part of something. If one were to sign a check and send it in without a genuine heart, that would defeat the whole purpose. Hashem wants us to feel that the mishkan belongs to us, to all of us. When everyone feels as though part of the mishkan belongs to him, it will be more near and dear to him. That's the only reason Hashem asks Moshe to collect money from the masses. Not for Him, but for them.
And it is for this very reason why Hashem doesn't even mention the causes but mentions it all in one very short statement. "They should take contributions for me" (Shemot 25:2). I don't even care what it goes for. It doesn't even matter. I just want them to give to feel that they are part of something larger than they. It doesn't even matter why or for what we're giving. It's not the result that matters; rather, its the actions that lead up to that result.
May we take this concept and apply it to life. Almost all of the time, the result is crucial and absolutely necessary. But that shouldn't be the only thing. Be'ezrat Hashem, we should all feel that we are part of something greater than we. When we are contributing to a shul, be it financially or by investing our time and energy into the synagogue's affairs, we should have that feeling that we are giving ourselves to Hashem. When we sit down to study some Torah, even if it just for five minutes a day, or even if it is just one D'var Torah that is emailed to you once every-other-week, you should feel in your heart that it's not only about learning and knowing what the Torah says (which is actually very important), but it's also to be doing what Hashem tells you to do and to devote yourself to something that you know is right. May we all continue to be inspired and feed off that inspiration in order to act.
Sabbatical Salutations (or Shabbat Shalom - whichever you'd prefer),
Sincerely,
Adam Sabzevari
Be in touch. Please.
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