Why is gold so special?
In Parshas Terumah, Bnei Yisrael donate precious materials to build the Mishkan, including large amounts of gold. Gold was used for the aron, the menorah, and many of the keilim. But what makes it so unique? Gold is a remarkable metal. It does not rust, tarnish, or decay, even after thousands of years. That’s because gold does not easily react with air or water. Ancient gold artifacts still shine today. Gold is also extremely malleable—it can be hammered into incredibly thin sheets without breaking. A single ounce of gold can be stretched into a wire miles long! This made it ideal for shaping the delicate parts of the Mishkan. Beyond beauty, gold is an excellent conductor of electricity, which is why it is still used in modern electronics and medical devices.
