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He Demands...Effort (35:5)

The Midrash relates that the tribal princes, underestimating the people’s generosity, discovered the only items left to contribute were the precious gems needed for the High Priest’s breastplate. These gems, the Talmud explains, fell from Heaven along with the princes’ portion of Manna. Thus, the monetary value of the princes’ gifts may have surpassed the other offerings, yet they were still taken to task. It’s not the cost of the donation that counts, as G-d does not need our money, only our effort. Therefore, the princes’ offering, which was unearned, did not leave G-d very impressed.

It was for this reason that all the gifts had to be, “Asher yidvenu libo - according to a person’s generosity.” Had the people been taxed, the message would have been that what they gave was important, not how they gave it. This lesson is reiterated when Hashem wanted to honor Moses with erecting the Temple. Moses wondered how it was possible for any one human being to raise such a heavy structure. G-d replied, “Make the effort, even though the Mishkan will raise itself up.” That’s why the verse reads, “hukam hamishkan,” the Mishkan was erected, and not that Moses put it up.

This principle is important especially for we who live in a result-oriented society. We want the rich-tasting coffee, without all the grinding, the muscular physique with the least exertion. But we’re taught, “Odom Le’omol Yulad - Man was born for hard work.” Life without challenge is meaningless. Betzalel, the young man in charge of the entire construction campaign, “Put his entire soul into the making of the Ark….therefore it was called by his name.” The commentaries imply that it was not the percentage of work which was done by Betzalel that caused him to be identified with this central component of the Temple, but rather the caliber of his investment in the project.

Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner, founder of the first modern Yeshiva, takes this a step further. Not only does the caliber of work matter, even the caliber of giving makes a difference. Reb Chaim had a fundraiser who worked for the yeshiva. One year, the fundraiser approached Reb Chaim and explained that if (A) he were able to travel with his own wagon and driver, he could move more rapidly from place to place and thus collect more, and (B) if he were able to put on a better appearance, he could enter the homes of wealthy donors and elicit larger donations. Reb Chaim agreed to both requests.

The next fundraising trip proved a disaster with several of the wealthy patrons refusing to help. When Reb Chaim inquired of the first benefactor, what had changed, he replied, “I thought I was providing for the students. Now I’m afraid, my money is for the horse!”

Reb Chaim explained that those who give because they are impressed by the horses, indeed that is where their donation will be spent. But those who contribute because they are interested in supporting Torah learning can be assured that their gift is assigned only there.

Our intentions do make a difference: Not only in our work, but even on our donations. Everything we do and give is evaluated for purity of thought!

King David writes, “Hashem is kindness, for You repay each man according to his deeds.” Why classify rewarding man according to his deeds as, “kindness?” Is it not appropriate that man should be paid for what he has done? The Ramban notes that it is unlikely that during their bondage in Egypt, many Jews would have developed the skilled craftsmanship required for the more intricate Temple construction. Nonetheless, they volunteered. But it was only by means of Divine inspiration that they completed their tasks. Even so, the Torah ascribes the work to them, since they did whatever was humanly possible.

Man may accomplish many things solely by dint of Divine assistance still G-d repays him as if he had done everything on his own! This indeed is a “kindness.” By leading a life of sanctity, a Jew - in a manner of speaking - becomes a walking Temple. Obviously, this is not as easy as it sounds. After all, it’s not as if we can just get up in the morning, pledge allegiance, do a few mitzvos, and then declare our bodies sanctified. 

So do we resign ourselves to the fact that just as the physical Sanctuary was destroyed, we too have lost our ability to serve as a conduit to holiness? Left to our own capacities, there would never have been a physical structure back then or a ‘human’ Temple today. All that He asks is that we commit to try our best.

The Mishnah (Avos 2:16) drives home this point bluntly: “It is not incumbent on you to finish the work, but neither are you free to absolve yourself from it!” When the day of reckoning comes, we will not be judged for what we have not accomplished, but rather for our lack of effort and willingness to undertake tasks we were convinced were beyond our means. Even Moses, the greatest of all prophets, was incapable of ‘putting up’ a Temple. All he could do was go through the motions, the rest was taken care of by Hashem! He demands of us no more, we should do no less.

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