Said Rabbi Simha Bunam of Pzhysha: "When members of a community are
invited to contribute to a fund, each an allotted amount, some insist
upon giving more than their quota. This extra donation is of special
delight to the Lord. When the Tabernacle was completed, relates the
Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 51:1), a supply of gold was discovered. Moses
inquired of the Lord for what use should be made of it. The Lord
instructed him to use it for the making of the receptacle for the Two
Tablets of the Coventant -- the most sacred objects in the Tabernacle.
(Siach Sarfei Kodesh 6)
upon giving more than their quota. This extra donation is of special
delight to the Lord. When the Tabernacle was completed, relates the
Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 51:1), a supply of gold was discovered. Moses
inquired of the Lord for what use should be made of it. The Lord
instructed him to use it for the making of the receptacle for the Two
Tablets of the Coventant -- the most sacred objects in the Tabernacle.
(Siach Sarfei Kodesh 6)
Said Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Apt: "Holiness has the effect of
awakening holiness. It cultivates the better nature of those who
observe it. We learn that when the artists who wrought the holy
objects of the Tabernacle reported a surplus of materials, Moses did
not ordain that no more materials should be brought, but that no more
work should be done. This was because the people, aroused to a sense
of holiness and dedication, could not be restrained from bringing
gifts as long as a holy work was being performed. (Menorah Hatahorah
71)
awakening holiness. It cultivates the better nature of those who
observe it. We learn that when the artists who wrought the holy
objects of the Tabernacle reported a surplus of materials, Moses did
not ordain that no more materials should be brought, but that no more
work should be done. This was because the people, aroused to a sense
of holiness and dedication, could not be restrained from bringing
gifts as long as a holy work was being performed. (Menorah Hatahorah
71)
Said the Sfas Emes, Yehuda Leib of Ger: "The Midrash quotes the
verse, 'A man of trust has many blessings, but he who runs after
wealth will not be cleansed' (Mishlei 28:20). The man of trust, says
the Midrash, is Moses. and 'whoever is trustworthy, God brings about
blessing by his hand.'
We have learned that 'Shalom is a vessel that contains blessing.'
This is the 'man of trust': all his deeds are attached to his root,
'planted firmly into a trustworthy place' (Isaiah 22:23). The he is
called shalom, for the lower portion is not whole (shalem) unless it
is joined to that portion [the root of the person] above. This was the
character of Moses our Teacher, of whom it says 'Moses Moses' (Shemot
3:4) without any indication of a break between them. And he is called
'a man of God' (Tehillim 90:1) meaning that he is 'half man and half
God.' Thus too the Tabernacle, for it says: 'These are the rules of
the tabernacle, tabernacle of witness' (Shemot 38:21).
verse, 'A man of trust has many blessings, but he who runs after
wealth will not be cleansed' (Mishlei 28:20). The man of trust, says
the Midrash, is Moses. and 'whoever is trustworthy, God brings about
blessing by his hand.'
We have learned that 'Shalom is a vessel that contains blessing.'
This is the 'man of trust': all his deeds are attached to his root,
'planted firmly into a trustworthy place' (Isaiah 22:23). The he is
called shalom, for the lower portion is not whole (shalem) unless it
is joined to that portion [the root of the person] above. This was the
character of Moses our Teacher, of whom it says 'Moses Moses' (Shemot
3:4) without any indication of a break between them. And he is called
'a man of God' (Tehillim 90:1) meaning that he is 'half man and half
God.' Thus too the Tabernacle, for it says: 'These are the rules of
the tabernacle, tabernacle of witness' (Shemot 38:21).
This was the whole purpose of the Tabernacle: to be a vessel
containing shalom for the entire world. The same is true of Shabbat
with regard to time. That is why all its deeds are doubled: two loaves
of bread, 'A Psalm, a song for the Sabbath day' (Tehillim 92:1),
'Shamor' and 'Zakhor,' and it gives blessing to all of time...
containing shalom for the entire world. The same is true of Shabbat
with regard to time. That is why all its deeds are doubled: two loaves
of bread, 'A Psalm, a song for the Sabbath day' (Tehillim 92:1),
'Shamor' and 'Zakhor,' and it gives blessing to all of time...
Scripture speaks of 'tabernacle of witness,' for this is the
essence of Israel's witness: to bring divine blessing into the world.
'You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and I am God' (Isaiah 43:12).
Thus there is witness in space and in time. Israel deserved by their
deeds to build the tabernacle and to have the Shekhina dwell in their
midst. Shekhina comes forth also on Shabbat and at holy seasons
because of Israel's merit. And the same is true in the realm of souls,
when we bring forth holiness from above into our soul.
(Taken from Arthur Green's The Language of Truth)
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