Moshe starts Parshat Vayakhel by gathering the Jewish people together. He did not say what he needed to say without Bnei Yisrael standing together and ready to hear. One part of his speech was that all of Bnei Yisrael should donate items, money or anything that could help with the building of the Mishkan. Bnei Yisrael were so enthusiastic to get close to Hashem and build Him a home that they gave more than Moshe would have thought. It seemed that they even had too much.

That being said, the Torah describes the different gifts that people give. Some gave materials, others gold and silver, and some did the hard labor.

In Parshat Vayakhel, Moshe gathers Bnei Yisrael and tells them they can donate items for the building of the Mishkan. After the command, Bnei Yisrael helps and gives many items because they felt the need to help build Hashem a home. Everyone — women and men— donates different items and in different ways. Every item donated contributes to the Mishkan.

This reminds me of the aftermath of Oct. 7. Everyone was donating so many different things, from toilet paper to military gear. There was plenty of it and although not all the items were used at once, every piece ended up being used and is still being used. I recently heard a story about a soldier who received a belt in the past two months and it saved his life. People have been saying that certain things are no longer needed or are useless, but that isn’t true. Not only are many items still needed, but something as simple as a belt was able to save this soldier’s life.

May we all recognize that no amount or item is too small to give when it comes from the heart — even if it isn’t used now, it will eventually be used — and may we recognize the impact we have on others. May we also take this message about items and apply it to ourselves! May each of us realize that we are never small and that Hashem gave us the power to help the world.