Parshas Tetzaveh
Rabbi Yissocher Frand
Last week’s parsha also contains a solicitation, but does not use the word tzav. Rather, Parshas Terumah begins with the pasuk “Speak to the Children of Israel and let them take for Me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him you shall take My portion.” (Shemos 25:2) Everyone was asked to donate to the Mishkan building campaign. They donated all sorts of items, precious metals – gold, silver, and copper – as well as animal skins, wood, spices and the like. It was a very successful campaign, during which they collected everything they needed for the Mishkan.
The sefer Abir Yaakov asks why the Torah does not use the command (Tzav es Bnei Yisrael) in Parshas Teruma like it does here in Parshas Tetzaveh, rather than the more casual statement “Speak to the Children of Israel and let them take for Me an offering...” Anytime someone solicits money – gold, silver, or other valuable items, people don’t like to part with their money. They certainly don’t like to part with their precious metals. It is a request which may very well cause hesitation and resistance. Therefore, we would expect the Torah to use a forceful word such as “tzav” there.
It seems incongruous that when asking for olive oil, the Torah uses a “command” (v’ata tetzaveh) and when asking for gold and silver, the Torah uses a mere request. Which is the easier ask?
Imagine a man who wants to relax on a Sunday morning but there is a meshullach (charity collector) at the door who gives his elaborate story of desperate need and asks for $1000. His story hits just the right way and the man writes a check for $1,000. The following Sunday morning, the same man is trying to enjoy his coffee when a meshullach comes to the door and says that he needs $100. Okay, the man gives him $100. Ten minutes later another meshullach comes to the door: “I desperately need $100.” A total of ten people come to the door, each asking for $100. Lo and behold, another Sunday went by, another $1,000 was distributed to charity.
Which is easier and which is harder? Is it harder to give $1,000 in one shot or is it harder to give $100 ten times over? The Rambam writes (in his Mishna Commentary on Maseches Avos) that it is harder to give $100 ten times than it is to give $1,000 in one shot. Not only is it harder, but it makes a bigger impact on the giver if he gives ten times a smaller amount than if he gives the same amount in one contribution.
If someone wants to become a baal tzedakah (generous person), the way to achieve that is to donate over and over and over again. A one-time splurge of generosity may be nice, but it does not change anything in a person’s neshama. Stinginess can only be overcome by repetitive action to counteract the negative character trait.
The Mishkan was a one-time building campaign. It was an unprecedented event that had never previously occurred in the history of Klal Yisrael. Everyone was excited about the prospect. They were happy to participate in this once in a lifetime event. Therefore, there was no need for a lashon ziruz (a language of diligence). “Speak to the Children of Israel and take for me...” was sufficient. However, the olive oil was a maintenance item. The appeal for shemen zayis for the Menorah needed to be made over and over again, every week, every month, every year. That is hard. That needs a lashon of tzav – “Command the Children of Israel...”
