RABBI AARON Editor, Torah Tidbits GOLDSCHEIDER
Hashem Desires the Heart
drink, well beyond what he will consume.
ׂוֹת א ָֹת ּ֑ה ֣אכ֖ה ַל ֲעש ָ ל־ה ְּמ ָל ַ ְת֥ה ַדָּי֛ם ְל ָכ ָ אכ֗ה ָהי ָ ְה ְּמ ָל ַו )ז:וְהו ֵֹֽתר (שמות לו
The Jewish people expressed their love for Hashem, knowing that they offered more than what was needed, in the same way that one offers a meal for an honored guest.
This is the meaning, suggests the Rebbe, of the words ‘enough’ and ‘more’. There is no contradiction in terms: this is precisely how one shows reverence for an admired companion.
“And the work was enough for them to do it [build the Mishkan] and there was extra” (Shemot 36:7). The Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh, Rabbi Chaim ben Atar (1696-1743), one of the greatest Torah commentators, asked, “Are not these words contradictory?” Was there just enough material to build the Mishkan or was there extra material? Several Chassidic Masters intrigued with this query.
were
Rebbe Chaim of Chernovitz (17601816) offered the following parable as a solution (Be’er Mayim Chaim, )פרשת ויקהל ד"ה המלאכה היתה דים An esteemed guest comes over to visit. When he arrives, the table is set and a meal has been prepared. It goes without saying that he will place on the table food and drink far beyond what his guest will eat. On the table, the honored guest is treated to a full loaf of bread, food, and 48
TORAH TIDBITS / VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI 5780
The Ohr Hachaim added the following spiritual dimension. Indeed, the people brought more than what was needed. God was concerned with the dignity of each person who made the effort to donate. In order that no person felt that their efforts were in vain, God made it that everything brought for the building of the Mishkan miraculously fit, and nothing was unused. Hence, even though in reality, there was extra, God wondrously made it all fit so that it seemed as though there was exactly enough. God ensured that the extra was incorporated and that all donations were used. Perhaps, the most innovative approach explaining the seeming contradiction between the terms, ‘enough’ and ‘extra’ is offered by the Sfat Emet (1847-1905) Rebbe Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, the Rebbe of Ger.
