Timeless Torah

The Divine had spoken. "Make for me a Sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." Obviously G-d does not need a house where He can rest. He did however desire a place where His power would be manifest, offering inspiration and strength to all those who came there.

According to the Sages, the Israelites emptied Egypt of its wealth, first at the Exodus itself and later at the splitting of the sea. Indeed, one Midrash posits that every Jew was so amply rewarded for their years of bondage, that each Hebrew slave left with ninety pack animals loaded with gold and silver. Had they wanted, they could have constructed the entire Tabernacle from gold alone.

Clearly, in such an affluent era and for such a sanctified purpose, only the most precious materials should have been used. It is therefore surprising that Hashem specifically instructed this "offering which you shall take from them should consist of gold, silver, copper wool, wood, etc". After all, this was for the Sanctuary that would present to the world the glory and might of the All Powerful. Why did G-d request inferior goods when something more valuable was available?

The combination of all the various materials teaches us that all Jews must join in the making of a Sanctuary for G-d. Our ancestors were instructed to use less expensive materials - symbolizing Jews on lower levels - because they too are indispensable, part of the building of the Sanctuary.

Our nation consists of a variety of individuals ranging from the likes of Moses to the "hewers of wood and drawers of water." Some belong to the spiritual category of "gold", others to "silver", others to "copper", etc. In the construction of G-d's house, all categories of Jews are essential.

The lessons of the Mishkan and its physical make-up of different materials are an important lesson to all. Those who are at the highest level - that of gold - sometimes have a tendency to look down at and act condescendingly towards their less educated brethren. To them the Torah explicitly says, "You can't do it alone. You must include those who are, at the present, lower than you. Only unity among you can evoke the response and purpose of the Sanctuary, "That I may dwell among them."

And to those of our people, who for whatever reason, see themselves as less important or precious, the Torah provides encouragement and joy. Whether he is inherently inferior or just feels that way, he is part and parcel of Israel's sanctuary. In fact, his absence will be apparent and reflected in another's non-appearance, G-d's.