T’rumah
Ex. 25:1-27:19
Précis: As the Israelites continue their journey through the wilderness, God tells Moses to ask the people for gifts to build the Tabernacle. “T’rumah” (voluntary donations) of fine metals, yarns, skins, and woods are offered by the People. God gives Moses precise instructions as to the interior and exterior construction of the mishkan (tabernacle). Specific items include an altar for burnt offerings, a curtain (parochet) to separate the main room from an inner sanctum, elaborate candlesticks, incense burners, and other tools. There will be a special Ark to be placed in an area called the Holy of Holies to house the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Precise measures are given for all spaces as well as specific materials designated for the composition of the mishkan.
Ex. 25:3 “Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him.”
The building of the Mishkan, (Tabernacle) is to be financed through voluntary contributions. The mitzvah is translated here as “Bring me gifts” (in Hebrew “Ya'yikchuli t’rumah”). However, it can also be translated as “Take for me gifts.” While this is a rather clumsy statement, it can be interpreted to mean that in the act of giving, we are also “taking.”
There is an old Chasidic tale that tells us that the difference between a fool and a wise man is that the fool thinks it is he who gives, while the wise man understands that in giving, he receives. Or we can recall the old English aphorism, “it is better to give than receive” to underscore the pleasure associated with giving to a good cause.
The second part of the cited verse focuses on the manner of making the gift. While donations to maintain the Temple were mandatory and equal – the half-shekel from everyone – here, for the original creation of the Tabernacle, donations were made only by those “whose heart moves him” (in Hebrew “asher yidveynu libo”), also translated by the Sages as “according to one’s ability." Contributions were strictly voluntary, and were indeed so successful that Moshe subsequently had to halt further giving!
Our synagogues are a modern representation of the Mishkan. There has been considerable discussion about the high expense of living a Jewish life in general, and particularly about the high costs associated with synagogue membership. This verse suggests that we need to forge a way of financial support for congregations which incorporates both aspects of giving: a requirement for all to pay something, and the encouragement to those who can offer as much as their hearts tell them to give.
