The list of items needed to build the ancient Tabernacle given in this week’s Torah portion, Terumah, is long and intimidating. But, also inviting. Everyone “whose heart so moves them” is meant to participate. Whether they were bringing large dolphin skins or rare lapis lazuli, or just a few drops of olive oil or strands of goat’s hair, all of these items would be necessary to build the inclusive worship space they hoped to create. The Tabernacle or Mishkan was not only a future home for God, but a symbol of generosity in the world.
A healthy society is a generous one. This is best created not through coercion, but through education. People should want to give, not be forced to do so. Building in small, achievable methods of contributing to the larger good is the secret to achieving this aim.
The best example in the Jewish world is the practice of Mishloach Manot on Purim. The assignment is simple: put together a small basket with a minimum of two ready-to-eat food items and give them out randomly to a few friends. Often these will include a baked item like hamantaschen, and, perhaps a piece of fruit or candy. As one person hands off to another and another and another, eventually everyone has both prepared and received a Purim goody basket. Before long the practice has not only affected the individual holiday, but created the template for the remainder of the year. Just as the Israelites realized thousands of years before, God is best revealed when we generously give of ourselves to the greater good of society. In this way a small project can become the building block for a better world.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex