Page 52 - Shemot-e-book-RF4-FP_Neat-221215-V24102-NPW

Audio: Track 14 52
The Book of Exodus – ‫חומש שמות‬

Torah Portion Terumah

In the Torah portion of Terumah, the Torah discusses the building of the
Tabernacle and the vessels that are required to be inside. The Tabernacle was
made due to the contributions of the People of Israel, as is written:

"Speak to the People of Israel and they will take for me a contribution,
from every man whose heart volunteers him you will take my
contribution. And this is the contribution that you shall take from
them: gold and silver and copper." (25:2-3)

Every Israelite contributed to the building of the Tabernacle as much as he
could, and this is a basic attribute of the People of Israel, rich and also poor – to
contribute.

However, sometimes there are people who do not want to contribute or to give
charity…
Rabbi Moshe of Sassov once called upon a rich miser and presented him with a
mirror.

- Who do you see in this mirror? The rabbi asked the rich man.
- I see myself! – the man said
- Now go over to the window and look. What do you see now?
- Now I see all kinds of people in the street. – said the rich man.
- Pay attention: both the mirror and the window are made from glass.

There is only a small difference. The glass of the mirror is coated with
silver on the back side. And therefore you only see yourself in it and you
do not see through it other people!

The rich man understood the hint and gave a large sum of money to charity.

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