Terumah Q & A

"Let them take for Me an offering." (25:2)

Questions: The people gave donations to the building of the Tabernacle. Why does it not say "and they should give"?

Answer: When a Jew gives charity he is not only giving but also receiving, because when the poor man accepts the charity, the giver receives a zechut for the mitzvah, through which he will get back from G-d ten times as much as he gave. Regarding the words "You shall surely tithe,"1 the Talmud2 says, "By giving ten percent [of your earnings] to charity, you will become rich."

Thus, by giving for the Tabernacle, the Jews were "taking" from G-d much more than they actually gave.

"They shall make an Ark two and a half cubits in length, one and a half cubits in width, and one and a half cubits in height." (25:10)

Questions: Why did all the measurements of the Ark include fractions?

Answer: The Ark, which contained in it the Tablets, represents Torah study. The measurements teach that people who learn Torah must always bear in mind that regardless of how much they learn, they do not master it all. The extent of their knowledge is only a fraction of the vast teachings and depth of the Torah.

It is also for this reason that the first page of every Talmud starts on page two. This reminds the Torah student not to arrogantly think that he has mastered it, for he still lacks knowledge of the first page.

"You shall make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, one cubit wide, and one cubit and a half in height." (25:23)

Questions: Why was the width of the table less than the height?

Answer: Inviting guests and feeding the needy is highly commendable. Unfortunately, often people go overboard on lavish table expenses in order to make an impression. Their extravagance creates huge debts and may be at the expense of giving charity or paying tuition. The Torah teaches us that the width -- expansiveness -- of one's table should not exceed one's "material height."