The gift of giving is something so remarkable that we were able to learn from those before us, especially Avraham Avinu. In this day and age, we might think that receiving is the best feeling. We open a gift and are so happy that someone thought of us. However, the gift of giving feels better. When you are the one who thinks of someone else and sacrifices a part of yourself (money, time, etc.) for someone and YOU put a smile on a person’s face, that feels good. That feels rewarding.
In Parshat Vayakhel, Moshe gathers Bnei Yisrael and offers them the opportunity to give and donate to the Mishkan. Unlike last week’s Parsha, they were not confined to only giving half a shekel. However, Bnei Yisrael gave with all of their hearts so much gold, money, silver, etc., that Moshe had to tell Bnei Yisrael to stop bringing donations. How can Moshe say to stop giving? Is there ever such a thing as too much giving?
Shlomo Hamelech in his book Kohelet says, לַכֹּ֖ל זְמָ֑ן וְעֵ֥ת לְכׇל־חֵ֖פֶץ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם, teaching us that everything has a time and a place. Giving can be good, but it can also be bad depending on what you are giving, who you are giving to, or the amount you are giving. When Moshe Rabbenu told Bnei Yisrael to stop giving, I think he was teaching us two ideas. One, you have to take time and see what you have accomplished by giving,whether it be money, your time, or anything else. You can’t just give and not take the time to appreciate what you have done. Secondly, it teaches us that throwing money at a situation doesn’t always work. If Moshe let Bnei Yisrael continue throwing money at the Mishkan, Bnei Yisrael may think that money is all that matters to sustain it. In truth, what will sustain the Mishkan is the time Bnei Yisrael devotes to Hashem and how they treat one another.
My bracha to you is that we all should be givers and that we should know what, how much, and when to give. May we see what the giving we do accomplishes, and may we help spread the light of giving in the world.
Shira Sedek is a passionate educator currently working toward a master’s degree at Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.
