by
Rabbi Michael Laitner

Parshat Vayakhel

‘And Moses commanded, that a proclamation be made throughout the camp, saying, neither men nor women should perform any more work, in contributing to the Tabernacle. And the people stopped giving’, (Shemot 36,6)

This verse refers to donations to the Mishkan, the portable Sanctuary which the Jewish people built in the desert, en route from Egypt to Israel. Rashi, the premier Torah commentator, explains that the people were prevented from making any further contributions. Why did Moses issue such a command?

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, a great 20^th century American rabbi, tackles this question. He starts by quoting the Talmud’s confirmation that such donations were a Mitzva (TB Beitzah 36b). However, he also cites a contrasting opinion, (TB Arachin 28a), that it was forbidden to dedicate all of one’s possessions to the construction and upkeep of the Mishkan, or the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). Although Moses did not wish to issue this command initially, he did so out of concern that the peoples’ over generosity could lead to them transgressing the prohibition cited in Masechet (Tractate) Arachin.

Similarly, Halacha places limits on how much money we can spend on performing other Mitzvot, each within their own context, as we are not allowed to make ourselves poor.

Rabbi Feinstein continues that Moses’ ruling also illustrates that every physical item can be used for performing specific Mitzvot or other constructive related activities, as G-d did not create physical items that serve no purpose. Thus, the people were able to contribute to the Tabernacle, whilst increasing their awareness of spreading holiness through performance of the Mitzvot and Halacha, in every aspect of their lives.