“Speak to Bnei Yisrael and let them take for Me a portion.”
(Shemos 25:2)
“The Torah uses many psukim to describe Hashem: ‘Hashem’s is the earth and its fullness’ ‘The sea is His and He made it’ ‘Behold! The sky is Hashem’s …’ Does such a Creator have any need for flesh and blood?! However His Shechinah wishes to dwell with the Jewish people like a father who yearns for his children. Therefore the pasuk says ‘Let them take for Me.’ (Yalkut).
“The Jews had just been released from exile after many years as destitute slaves in Egypt … Chazal teach that every Jew went out of Egypt leading 80 Libyan donkeys loaded with silver gold and jewels. The One Who graciously granted them this great wealth is now asking them to put aside a small portion of it for building the Mishkan which will serve as a place of honor and atonement for every Jew. And let’s not forget that we’re discussing the dor de’ah — the generation that received the Torah. Even the lowliest maidservant among them had powers of prophecy greater than those of Yechezkel Ben Buzi.” (Rav Yehudah Leib Chasman Or Yahel quoting Lekach Tov).
The hall is packed but women are still clamoring at the door. The organizers wonder what to do. Plastic chairs in the aisles? How can they disappoint so many women who want to see the play?
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