B"H
Monday, Shevat 29, 5779 / February 4, 2019
This week’s Parsha, Terumah, to the end of the book of Exodus, describes the Mishkan (Tabernacle), which the Jewish people built in the desert. It records the specific requirements of the Tabernacle, its contents and their specific measurements. It specifies the garments which the High priest and the regular priest were to wear during their service in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.
The Parsha begins, "And G-d spoke to Moshe saying: 'Speak to the Children of Israel, that they take for Me an offering; of every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering...”
Q. Why, when speaking about the Jewish people giving contributions, does the Torah say, "Take for Me an offering”? G-d should have told Moshe to tell the people, “to give for Me an offering?"
A. This Parsha teaches us the proper attitude and approach to giving charity. Our sages explain that when we give charity we should realize that in reality we are taking. It is the donor who is the taker, because G-d pays back far more in return than what one gives.
The Talmud says, "The poor man who receives charity, does far more for the rich man, than what the rich man does for him." The blessings which he gets as a result of giving charity, is worth much more than what was given. One cannot buy these blessings only through the giving of charity.
Rabbi Eliezer says, "Why is charity likened to a coat of armor? Just as in a coat of armor, each and every scale joins the other to form one large piece of protective armor, so too, every coin given to charity combines with the rest and is like a coat of arms which offers great protection to the giver.” This is why giving charity is in reality taking.
There was a wealthy man who wasn’t very generous in giving charity. When his time came to depart from this world, he gave instructions that all of his monies be buried together with him. He figured that he would need his money to enjoy the after life…
When he came to the world on high, he decided to go on a shopping spree. He had lots of money and was going to get the best of everything. But wherever he went, no one recognized his currency. Whenever he took out his stack of dollar bills, everyone mocked him, “This has no value here,” he was told.
In desperation, he dug deeper and deeper into his pockets.. and pulled out a few receipts for the little charity he did give. Upon seeing the receipts, the angel’s face lit up… “THIS is genuine currency here,” exclaimed the angel! With this currency you can buy whatever you want up here..” In the real-world, the charity we gave is our true possessions. The more we give the more we get!
Rosh Chodesh Adar 1, begins Monday night through Tuesday & Wednesday.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY