Moshe gathered the people to speak to them about the construction of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. He also reiterated the laws of Shabbos to them and explained that although the Mishkan was important, Shabbos was even more important and could not be desecrated even for the purpose of constructing the Mishkan.
He instructed the Jewish people about all the different materials and skills that were needed for building the Mishkan. Although they were not required to give anything, the response was overwhelming. Men and women quickly brought so much gold and expensive jewelry that there was a surplus of what was needed and Moshe had to stop them from bringing more. Likewise, the sincerely motivated people offered their services to assist in the construction of the Mishkan and its vessels. The enthusiasm was necessary to atone for the misguided enthusiasm the people had shown when they brought their jewelry for the golden calf. It is especially noteworthy that the women showed such enthusiasm, for the men who had showed similar enthusiasm for the golden calf did not necessarily show an endearment to G-d, perhaps they were merely generous to any cause. The women, however, who had not contributed to the calf, showed an enthusiasm only to fulfill G-d’s will.
Along these lines, the Torah mentions that after the people had brought their gifts, the Nesi’im, the princes of each tribe, donated all the necessary jewels for the High Priest’s garments. The Midrash points out that the word Nesi’im is spelled defectively. The Midrash explains that at the commencement of the collection, the princes offered to donate any remaining items needed after the people finished giving their own gifts. However, they underestimated the generosity of the nation. The response had been so overwhelming that the only things needed were the jewels.
Although the princes may have had good intentions, they seemed to show a lesser degree of enthusiasm than the rest of the people. Since this enthusiasm was a necessary part of the nation’s atonement, it showed a deficiency in the princes’ attitude. Their names are written with a defective spelling, representing this defect in their response.
Betzalel, who was a grandson of Chur, oversaw the construction of the Mishkan. Chur, the Talmud explains, had stood up against the nation when they had first requested the golden calf. He had sharply rebuked them for failing to show the proper faith in Moshe and G-d. At the height of the rebellion the people murdered him. It was therefore quite appropriate that the construction of the Mishkan, which would atone for the golden calf, should take place under Chur’s grandson’s direction.
“Everyone whose heart motivates him shall bring a gift for G-d...” (Ex. 35:5)
An elderly woman would bring her emptied tzedaka box each month to Rav Yechezkel Sarne, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva. Although the donation was a small sum, Rav Sarne would thank her profusely.
A guest once asked the Rosh Yeshiva, “Could the yeshiva really survive on small donations like that?”
“No,” Rav Sarne agreed, “The yeshiva cannot survive on these donations, but the world can.”
Did You Know...
The Torah prohibits igniting a fire on Shabbos. Turning on an incandescent light bulb violates this law, since it contains a red-hot filament. Other electrical appliances may not be used either, but for other reasons. Some authorities include it in the prohibition of finishing a product, since the appliance is useless until the electricity is turned on. Others consider completing the electric circuit as assembling a utensil, which is like building. Others consider it cooking, since the wire becomes heated.
Many authorities forbid the simple act of opening an oven door since it allows cool air to enter the oven, triggering the thermostat, and igniting a fire. Other authorities, however, permit this because the thermostat does not kick in immediately and is only indirectly related to opening the door.
