Parshat Teruma 5778
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha the mitzvah of building the Mishkan. The pasuk says (Chapter 25, Pasuk 2), Ve'Yikchu Li Terumah, Me'Eis Kol Ish Asher Yidvenu Libo, you shall give me a donation from every person who has the generosity of heart to give. Though the building of the Mishkan was a national project, the Torah emphasizes the significance and the role of each individual in the process.
The Mishnah in Avos (Chapter 4, Mishnah 1) teaches in the name of Ben Zoma, Eiyzehu Chacham HaLomeid M'Kol Adam, who is the wise person, the one who learns from each person. Why does one need to learn from everyone in order to be considered as an intelligent person? Why not learn from those outstanding individuals who are particularly wise and insightful?
The Sfas Emes teaches that though the Torah was given to all of Clal Yisrael, the way towards wisdom is by appreciating the significance of each individual and what he has to contribute. Therefore, Chazal attribute wisdom only to the one who understands and appreciates the knowledge of each and every member of Clal Yisrael. The greatness and significance of the whole is contained within the individual parts. And one needs to take from each individual what he has to offer, as the Mishnah states Eiyzehu Chacham HaLomeid M'Kol Adam. Taking from each individual makes the group whole and in turn enables each individual to receive what he needs from the group.
In a similar vein, the building of the Mishkan took place as a result of the generosity of the individual. The national project is fulfilled when the group is able to take from each member what it has to contribute, just as one becomes wise when he learns from each person. And when there is unity and an acknowledgment of the individual then each person can take from the group that which he personally needs. In other words, each person benefits personally from the unity of the group which is established by appreciating what each individual has to offer the group as a whole.
The Sfas Emes adds that this trait of generosity is something which was ingrained in the Jewish people from Matan Torah. When we received the Aseres HaDibros with its letters engraved in the Luchos, we also had the generosity of spirit engraved upon our hearts. And our task is to take that potential generosity within our hearts and actualize it with deeds. Similarly we have the potential for learning Torah contained within us from Har Sinai and we need to actualize that potential by learning. And the unity of Clal Yisrael is created by appreciating the capability of each individual in Torah and in generosity and using it for the national good.
Rashi says on the words in the pasuk (Chapter 25, Pasuk 9), V'Chein Ta'asu, L'Doros. After bringing the command for building the Mishkan and the vessels, the pasuk says and so you shall do it (according to Rashi) in the future as well. Whether it's to replace the vessels of the Mishkan which were lost or for the future Beis Hamikdash, this process of contributing out of generosity will be in the future as well. The Sfas Emes proves from here that this spirit of generosity is something ingrained within Bnei Yisrael; this wasn't a one-time moment of inspiration of generosity that couldn't be repeated. Rather this was an expression of the generosity of the Jewish heart, Nedivas Libam, given over at Har Sinai. And the task of each Jew is to bring to fruition the potential we received at Matan Torah, both in learning and in giving. And when we fulfill this potential and appreciate it in each other, then there is Jewish unity.
Good Shabbos
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