It's all Voluntary

Terumah
Exodus 25:1-27:19


Précis: The parasha Terumah begins the detailed instructions from God concerning the building of the Tabernacle. God asks the Israelites to donate gifts (Terumah) so that He may “dwell among” them. Specific instructions for the creation of the Ark and the menorah are included, as are the beginning of instructions for the building of the portable Tabernacle.

Exodus 25:3 “Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him.”

Writing in the Chancellor's Parashah Commentary (2/8/03), JTS Chancellor Schorsch noted the commonality and distinction between this week’s Torah and haftarah readings. While the parasha speaks about the construction of the Tabernacle, the haftarah focuses on Solomon’s construction of the Temple, some 480 years later. The basic outlines of layout remain the same, with the Holy of Holies at the rear, furthest from the entry. In both “sacred spaces,” the Ark of the Covenant was situated, protected by the extended wings of the cherubim.


The verse cited this week underscores that the construction of the Tabernacle was financed by voluntary contributions from all. The subsequent narrative shows incredible compliance, to the point where Moses says, in effect, “Enough gifts!” (Exodus 36:5-6).


On the other hand, Solomon’s Temple was paid for by taxes and forced labor. As is noted in the haftarah, "King Solomon imposed forced labor on all Israel; the levy came to 30,000 men. He sent them to Lebanon in shifts of 10,000 a month. . . Solomon also had 70,000 porters and 80,000 quarriers in the hills, apart from Solomon's 3,300 officials who were in charge of the work" (I Kings 5:27-30).


This difference did not escaped without comment by the Sages. As one midrash states, "The Tabernacle for which the people volunteered wholeheartedly never fell victim to the evil eye. The Temple, however, for which they did not, fell victim to the hand of the enemy" (Kasher, Torah Shlemah, v. 20, p. 6). As the Chancellor noted, “…the fate of an institution is determined by the measures taken to create it.” Solomon’s taxes and work levies, together with the centralization of worship in a single place, were certainly among the reasons that the Kingdom split immediately following his death.


What we learn from this comparison is the vital importance of volunteerism in the conduct of the affairs of the Jewish People. Throughout history, voluntary associations of Jews created burial societies, synagogues, houses of study, and institutions which saw to the needs of the less fortunate. Our Jewish communities in the United States have exhibited the same traits, which are our greatest strength and our most precious legacy. At a time when all of our communal organizations face unprecedented financial struggles, the value of volunteerism on behalf of these institutions cannot be sufficiently stressed. Indeed, during times like the present, we are called upon to make the greatest “gifts” we can, whether they be financial or through personal efforts. Each of us can use this opportunity to serve as a role model – a “dugma” for our fellow professionals, for our fellow congregants, and for our families.