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Chassidut on the Torah |
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The week of Terumah, 5762 This week’s Dvar Torah is dedicated in memory of Yefim Chaim, Z’L Pikover. May these words be an elevation for his soul. Overview (Exodus 25:1-27:19): The parsha primarily describes the preparations for building the Tabernacle. The Jews were commanded to offer the necessary material for the Tabernacle. Specifications were given for the construction of the ark, table, showbread, menorah, sacrificial altar, and their accompanying equipment; the outer and inner curtains, coverings, beams, pillars, and outer encompassing enclosure of the Tabernacle. Insights This week’s portion begins, “Speak to the children of Israel and take for Me a trumah.” The word trumah is broadly translated as ‘contribution.’ G-d told Moshe to tell the Jewish people to give gold, silver and copper towards the building of the Tabernacle. It actually has two different meanings: ‘separating’ and ‘elevating’ (see the Targum and Rashi there). These two explanations are related because as we separate from our possessions for a sanctified purpose, we also elevate these objects from their physicality to a higher spiritual dimension. The Alter Rebbe said that the Almighty sustains a person’s physical needs, in order that the person will take the physical and transform it into spiritual. Why does the verse specifically use the expression, “take for Me,” connoting that the taking of the contribution should be for G-d’s sake, and not “give to Me,” that the giving should be for G-d’s sake? The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that this teaches us that the poor person who receives tzedakah, should accept it—‘take it’—for the sake of Heaven. The Medrash tells how G-d said to King David, “Had I made my world equal, (that all were wealthy or all were poor...) who would have practiced kindness and truth, who would have given tzedakah and who would have lent to the poor?” The entire reason that the Almighty created rich and poor people was in order that there should be the activities of tzedakah and kindness in the world. Therefore, the intention of the poor person when he receives a contribution should be to accept it, not only out of necessity, but also because through this acceptance, he is fulfilling a purpose of creation. The poor person, the receiver, needs this reminder more than the wealthy person who gives. The wealthy person is giving money that he struggled for, so when he gives, it is presumably for the sake of the mitzvah, and not for some personal gain. This is particularly true when the contribution is given anonymously. The poor person, on the other hand, is necessarily concerned about heavenly intentions at all. Why does he accept the funds? Because he needs them. Therefore, the verse teaches us that even receiving should be for the sake of Heaven. Money is not the only area where taking is sometimes uncomfortable. Whether a piece of advice or an act of kindness, it is often as important to receive as to give. A person has to remember that everything in the world is Divine Providence, including the words he hears and actions done to him. Therefore, accept G-d’s way of sending His messages graciously. Tzedakah
is unlike most other mitzvahs in regards to having holy intentions. With prayer, for instance, a little
with proper intention is better than a lot without. Whereas giving a lot of tzedakah
without proper intention is superior to giving a little with holy intent, since
the main purpose of tzedakah is to help the other. Once, a very generous
person thought to stop giving such large amounts because it made him proud to
do so. He worried about his bad characteristic of arrogance. His Rebbe forbade him to stop giving,
saying, “No matter what you feel, the poor still need to eat.” Shabbat
Shalom, Shaul Rabbi Leiter will be in London & the NY area during the next 2
weeks. For an appt. contact director@ascent.org.il. Donate a used laptop & get a tax deduction. Write to the
above e-mail address. Rabbi Mordechai “Mo” Siev will be in the US for the next month. For an
appt. call 516-921-7949. |
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Ascent of Safed
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