B"H

Monday, Adar1 27, 5782 / February 28, 2022

This week's Parsha, Pekudei, will conclude the second book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus (Shemot).  In most years, the two Parshiot, Vayakhel and Pekudei are read together. This year, being a Hebrew leap year, they are read separately.

In the previous Parsha, Vayakhel, we read that the Jewish people donated so generously for the Mishkan (Tabernacle) that Moshe had to make an announcement not to bring any more contributions. 

In this week’s Parsha, Pekudei, the Torah tells us how Moshe accounts to the Jewish people for all the gold, silver and copper donated and for what these precious metals were used. Moshe did this to eliminate any doubt among the people that he personally gained from the contributions.

A Jew is commanded to be very careful in his dealings, so that people should not doubt his honesty.  For example: According to Jewish law, when one collects for charity and at the same time receives payment for a personal loan, he should not put the personal money in his pocket.  Someone may suspect that he is taking charity money for personal use. Instead, the money should be put together with the charity.  Only when he is out of the public eye can he take out whatever belongs to him. That’s how careful we must be with charity funds, not to even create a doubt in people’s minds.

This is why, even Moshe about whom G-d says, “In all my House he is most trustworthy,” gave an accounting of how much was collected and what it was used for.     

In Europe, Magidim (preachers) would travel from place to place to deliver Torah sermons. For this they would be paid by the people and so they sustained themselves and their families. 

Once, a Magid came to the city of Premishlan, where Rabbi Meir was Rabbi.  On Shabbat the Magid delivered a brilliant sermon. After Shabbat, he was presented with the amount of money that the villagers collected for him.  However, he wasn't pleased with the amount, as he was expecting more.

Before leaving town, he visited Rabbi Meir's home to say good-bye.  He noticed that people came to Rabbi Meir to ask his advice and receive his blessings.  In return, they left generous contributions so that Rabbi Meir could help the poor and needy of the city.

"I don't understand," remarked the Magid to Rabbi Meir, "Why do people give you so generously; while for my sermon, they gave very little?"

"It's simple," replied Rabbi Meir with a smile.  "When a person learns from a Rabbi or Magid, he becomes the role model and the person strives to be like the Rabbi or Magid.  The townspeople know that I have no desire for money and that I give it all away to the poor.  As a result, they too are willing to give their money away."

"You, on the other hand, give sermons so you can receive money for personal use.  When the townspeople see that you want money for yourself, they imitate you!  They are reluctant to part with it because they too want the money for themselves.."

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

In memory of my mother, Margaret Zoldan

A wonderful, generous, kind and loving Mother and Grandmother.

Always in our hearts and memories. May  Her Neshamah Have An Aliyah.

From: Andre, Esther, Zachary, Benjamin, Jonah.