The Dwelling of the Testimony” (38:21).
Why is the Mishkan referred to as the “Dwelling of the Testimony”? In the pesukim that follow, the Torah gives us an accounting of the vast amounts of gold, silver and other materials that were used in the construction of the Mishkan. It records how much was donated toward the Mishkan’s construction and how much was put to use. The Mishkan itself was the best evidence that there was absolutely no dishonesty in relation to the Mishkan’s construction, and that every last donation was accounted for and put to use. It is inconceivable that the shechinah would ever dwell in a place that was tainted with corruption. If any of the donations had been misappropriated, the shechinah would never have rested there. (HaGaon HaMalbim)
(Excerpted from the ArtScroll book – “A Shabbos Vort” by Rabbi Yisroel Bronstein)
Reprinted from this week’s email of The Weekly Vort.
