VOLUME 114 NUMBER 7
Shevat 30, 5785
February 28, 2025
Parshas Terumah/Parshas Shekalim
Candlelighting Time 5:33
This Shabbos we read the parsha dealing with the half-shekels that each person gave with which to purchase the animals for sacrificial purposes in the Mishkan, and later in the Beis Hamikdash, during the year. Of course, the obvious question is why wasn’t the donor base fashioned upon each person’s willingness to give just like the accumulation for the building of the Mishkan? Even though the Mishkan serviced the entire nation evenly yet the donations were not equally financed, but rather when the call went out each person donated as they felt was within their economic reach. Why then for acquisition of the offerings was it different?
Chasam Sofer cites a very interesting Medrash. Two verses are quoted one referring to the nation in an individual personage and the other one connoting the nation as one. The Medrash answers that sometimes Hashem denotes our connection to Him as one entity and other times as an assemblage of everyone together. Certainly, a vague and ambiguous message.
In explaining the Medrash Chasam Sofer mentions the famous statement that all that Hashem created in this world was for a purpose. Nothing exists without a reason. However, that reason may vary. Sometimes the conglomerate of the entire nation is for the sake of Torah and for those very special individuals who have excelled in their spiritual ascension. Other times each individual has their particular mission in the world to bring it to its full and complete objective. The example is one of a structure that is built. There are many details to be attended to and special workers must accomplish their specific task to ensure the building is constructed well. However, at the end of the day, this particular building has its explicit purpose. Whether it is a private dwelling, an apartment complex or an office building, it will operate within its parameters of its function. And this defines exactly the nature of our people. We have many needs within our performing as an efficient nation and then there is the global purpose of our nation, a united effort to bring the glory of Hashem to the world and promote Torah as the guide for serving Him.
The Mishkan served as the depository for the Divine Presence in this world. As the Midrashim point out, the sin of Adam was mitigated when the Mishkan was completed and we merited His Presence in its full majestic glory. That brought the world full circle back to its point of origin, the Garden of Eden restored, a global and universal success. That investment in returning that previous grandeur of course is reestablished as each person plays a mutual yet personal role in that development. In the discussion of the sacrificial order however, there is an essential and indispensable difference accomplished. Once the Mishkan is the extension of the entire nation’s effort to achieve that goal with the united and individual input, then there is a collective continuing and constant role that we must participate in to ensure the vibrancy and excellence of the entire nation as a whole. Therein is expressed the contrast between the funds amassed for the construction of the Mishkan and the monies collected for purchase of the sacrifices.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The entire world is suffused with sanctity although superficially it appears to be physical in nature. When we submit to that notion and elevate the creation to its superior function then we receive from Hashem His blessing and benevolence. So was it with the Mishkan, transmuting gold, silver and copper to their ultimate and essential objective transported the Divine Presence into our midst.
S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABBOS
