This Week In The Torah

Parsha Terumah Shemos/Exodus Ch.25/1- 27/19

Speak to the Children of Yisrael and let them take for Me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him you shall take my portion. Ch25/2

In any given country there are countless organizations. Any attempt to rank them in importance would be purely subjective. Undoubtedly, some are more important than others. But to the lepidopterists their butterfly-catching society is of vital importance; likewise, to the advocates of a new Sanskrit dictionary, their project is a cultural imperative.

There is, however, an objective indicator, at least as far as the government is concerned: How much of their funding comes from the coffers of the treasury? If they are fully funded, then they are obviously considered to be in the national interest. National defense, for example, is usually covered, while the lepidopterists and philologists have to seek funding from private sources.

In light of this, it is surprising that the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was almost completely funded by private donations. Considering that the Mishkan's purpose was to enable an ongoing bond and communication between G-d and the Jewish people, its establishment was a national priority. Wouldn't a special tax to cover all of its costs have been more appropriate?

Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin explains that, true, the Mishkan was of vital importance, but its function depended on the whole-hearted support of the people, an outpouring of genuine love for serving G-d. Taxation can't accomplish that.