Parshas Vayakhel
Feb 22nd, 2011 | By admin | Category: For The Shabbos Table, Parsha HaShavua, Sefer Shemos
by Rabbi Yechezkel Fox
Who Is Wise?
Every wise-hearted person among you shall come and make everything that G-d has commanded. Ch35/10
The seat of wisdom is the brain, not the heart. Surely, the Torah should have required the wise-brained, not the the wise-hearted, to volunteer.
In Ethics of The Fathers (Ch4/1), Ben Zoma asks, “Who is a wise person?” He answers, “One who learns from every person!” Why is the one who learns from every person already categorized as a wise person, and not just a good student?
Rabayna Yona explains that Ben Zoma is searching for the essence of what makes a person wise. His answer is, only someone who loves wisdom. He searches for it everywhere, even among people who know less than himself. His love for wisdom will ensure that his wisdom will keep growing; but his essence is already that of a wise person.
This is the person the Torah is looking for—the wise-hearted, who loves wisdom. He is truly wise!
Sources: Rabbi M. Shach
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When Too Much Is Just Enough
Moshe commanded that they proclaim throughout the camp, saying, “Men and women shall not do more work toward the gift for the Sanctuary!” And the people were restrained from bringing. But the work had been enough for all the work, to do it – and there was extra. Ch.36/6-7
The fact that the Torah says that there was enough, implies exactly the right amount that was needed. Why does the Torah then say that there was extra?
If just the exact quantity of materials needed had been donated, then there was a risk of haughtiness entering the hearts of the donors. Each one could think that it was his donation that allowed for the completion of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). But King Solomon said, Every haughty heart is the abomination of G-d; and the Sages comment that it is as if G-d is saying, I and he [of haughty heart] cannot live in one house. The mere thought of haughtiness could prevent the Divine Presence from residing in the Mishkan.
If, however, there were materials left over, then there could be the opposite thought. Each donor could be broken-hearted, thinking that his donation was unnecessary and could have been left out of the Mishkan. Since G-d promises that He dwells with the despondent and lowly spirit (see Isaiah 57/15), such thoughts would actually help to bring the Divine Presence into the Mishkan.
So, really, too much was just enough!
Sources:Sichos Tzaddikim brought in the Mayanai Shel Torah
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