Rabbi Shaya's Thoughts

Do we count more as individuals or as part of a group?

On the one hand, when each of us is on our own, our vision and message is very clear and focused: “This is what I am, and this is my product.” Yet, we may each wonder, “If I am on my own, will anyone even hear my voice? Will my individual perspective be drowned out?” On the other hand, we are certain that by being part of a group, our collective voice and reach is much greater.

So, the question becomes: Is it possible to be an individual and be part of a group at the same time?  

The answer is yes, as we see in this week’s Torah readings. This week we read a double portion, Vayakhel and Pekudei, which recount the building of the Tabernacle and its vessels. Vayakhel means gathering, as where parts of something are gathered to become the whole. And Pekudie means counting, as where every individual contribution is recognized on its own.

Only when the individual parts come together as one under one roof as part of one Tabernacle does the uniqueness of each individual article come to light. 

The individual item, with its own unique quality and purpose, gets placed in the larger context of the Tabernacle, and only then does the distinctive quality of the vessel come to light. 

We can see this on the very popular website, Etsy.com, or similar sites. Etsy is a marketplace made up of individual artists and crafters showcasing their own unique items, celebrating their art and talent. They come together at one site, not to lose their distinctive creativity, but just the opposite, to celebrate it. The site gives a home not to squash individuality, but to celebrate each and every artist.

The same is true of the Jewish people. On our own we are special, but when we are together, we shine! 

There is a fascinating Midrash that allows us to listen in on a conversation between Moses and G-d.

G-d tells Moses that he should take a headcount of the Jews. He cannot do this directly, since we don’t count people, but by having each person donate a half-shekel, he can count the half-shekels; additionally, the half-shekels will be atonement for their souls. When Moses hears this he turns to G-d and asks, “How will a half-shekel act as an atonement?” G-d responds by showing Moses a fiery coin and says, “Like this, they should give.”

Why was Moses so perturbed? We all know that giving charity is good for the soul, so why doesn’t this make sense to Moses? In addition, since when do all of Judaism’s Mitzvot have to be logical? Can’t G-d just make things happen?

Let’s take a moment and try to think like Moses. A coin is made from the lowest and most physical element of this world. Coins are made out of material that is found deep down beneath the earth. Moses wondered, ”How is it that such a lowly coin can have such a great spiritual impact on our souls?”

G-d shows him a coin of fire. When there is a fire in the heart of the donor, even a lowly coin can be transformed into a holy coin. The coin itself can transform the giver into a holy, fiery human being.  All we need to do is to give it with good intention.

This was difficult for Moses to understand—before G-d explained it to him. Yes, he knew that when we do something holy with an ordinary item we can elevate it to a higher place, but for it to be an atonement for our souls—that is a little bit of a stretch. And that is why G-d showed him a fiery coin. Within every single thing in this world, even something as small and insignificant as a coin, one can find the “fire” inside.  And when we find that “fire,” we are transformed.

The trick for us is to not be afraid to light that spark. We can access it all the time by doing acts of loving kindness. One Mitzvah at a time.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Shaya Deitsch

PS … These Shekalim eventually went toward the upkeep of the Temple and were collected once a year in the month of Adar. Since the Temple was destroyed – more than 2,000 years ago – a custom was instituted to donate a half-shekel on the eve of Purim.

The heroine in the story of Purim is Esther. What is unique about her is not only that she saved the Jews, but the way she accomplished this feat: risking her life for the benefit of her people.

To better appreciate her behavior, it is worth taking a lesson from this week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, the only portion since Moses’s birth in which his name is not mentioned even once.   

The story behind the absence of his name is that Moses, when beseeching G-d on behalf of the Jews to forgive them after the sin of the golden calf, told G-d, “If you will not forgive the Jews, then take me out of your Book!” G-d did forgive the Jews, yet He honored Moses’s threat in order to teach us Moses’s greatness.

Moses was willing to forego everything he had accomplished during his life, just to do another Jew a favor. He was willing to lose everything to save Israel—even the sinners. This was the essence of Moses. So, although Moses is not called by name, the essence of his character shines forth throughout this portion.

Esther lived up to this same ideal. She risked her own life—she could have been killed just for walking into the king’s chamber unannounced. She also risked her soul, by letting the king know that she was a Jewess. Yet she did what was best for her fellow Jews.

We mention Esther by name in this portion to teach us an important lesson: Just as Esther was able to live up to Moses’s ideal, so can we. This is why on Purim it is important to perform the Mitzvah of giving charity to the needy. It is a time when we act in a selfless manner, putting others’ needs before our own. Another Mitzvah that is commonly performed on Purim is to give gifts of food to our friends. We also read the scroll of Esther and celebrate with friends and family. To join the Community Purim Celebration “Purim in Outer Space,” please click here.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim!