From an address by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson; translation/adaptation by Yanki Tauber
The Torah reading of Pekudei (Exodus 38:21–40:38) opens with an accounting of the various materials donated by the people of Israel for the making of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary that “housed” the Divine Presence in the Israelite camp during their journeys through the desert.
These donations included gold for the Mishkan's “vessels” (the menorah, ark, etc.) and the plating of its wall panels; silver, used for the “foundation sockets” into which the wall panels were inserted; copper, used in the making of the altar and the washbasin; wood, for the wall panels and posts; wool dyed in a variety of colours, and fine-spun linen, for the tapestries and the priestly garments; goat hair and animal skins, for the roof coverings; a variety of precious stones, for the ephod and choshen (the apron and breastplate worn by the high priest); oil, for the lighting of the menorah; and spices, for the making of the ketoret (“incense”)—fifteen materials in all.
With 14 of these 15 materials, each individual gave whatever he or she chose to give and however much he or she chose to contribute. The type and amount given depended solely on the resources and the degree of generosity of the individual donating.
The single exception was the silver used to make the Mishkan's foundation. Here, G-d commanded that each should give exactly half a shekel of silver: “The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less” (Exodus 30:15; from the section of Shekalim, a special supplementary reading added this week because of the upcoming month of Adar, when the half-shekel was traditionally contributed).
Everyone is different: our intellect, character, talents and sensitivities differ. But we are all equal on the very basis of our bond with G-d: our intrinsic commitment to Him. So, while we each contributed to making the various components of the Sanctuary through our individual capacities, we all gave equally the silver from which its foundation was created. As regards the foundation of the relationship between us and G-d, the rich person cannot give more, and the pauper cannot provide less since we all equally possess that intrinsic commitment.
Upon this foundation, we each build our individualized edifice. Upon this foundation, we each erect a home for G-d made out of the unique talents, capacities and resources we can contribute. The foundation is the edifice's lowest, least noticeable part; sometimes, it is buried out of sight in the ground. But the silver foundation of absolute, immutable commitment is the basis and support of it all.
Based on Sefer HaSichos 5749, Vol. I, pp. 292-298
