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What is the secret of love? It is often said that loving is giving. Is there love in receiving as well?
The Parashah of this week Teruma starts with G-d’s commandment to the Jewish people to gather donations for the building of the Mishkan, the portative Temple. G-d says: “Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take for Me an offering; from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My offering”. (Exodus 25:2). Rashi explains that the word “for Me” indicates that the contribution should be made with the proper intention and thought – in order to fulfill G-d’s will.
Generally, in philanthropy matters, the intention is not the most important thing. What counts is the action. The poor person will be satiated even if the donor contributed with the intention of getting recognition and honor. But here, it was about the Temple of G-d, symbolizing the union of spirituality and materiality. This material building needed to be infused with the right spiritual intention…
Did you notice that G-d said to take the offering to Him? Would it not be more logical to say to give Him offerings? It is written in this way to give us over an important message, not only about how charity should be given, but also about how it should be received. The poor person must receive with the correct intention – to fulfill G-d’s will.
G-d created this world in a way that some people are richer and others poorer. This was not done by mistake. In this way, there will we mutual help and relationships in this world. By accepting the charity, the poor person allows the system G-d created for kindness in this world to function.
We all have some qualities, talents, money, and we don’t have some others. We can no do everything on our own and we need the material or spiritual help of people around us. But many people are embarrassed to ask for help. They try to manage on their own.
This week’s Parashah reminds us that G-d created the world in a way that we should need one another. G-d wants mutual help to exist between us. It is not always easy for our ego. But this is how G-d’s system in this world works.
In order to have mutual love, we need to give but we also need to know how to receive from one another. When we have the humility to admit that the other has something to give us that we don’t have, we give him the opportunity to contribute.
Next time someone will propose you help to you, don’t avoid him. With a little humility and the intention to fulfill G-d’s will, let us accept his contribution. In the merit of our mutual help, G-d will send us Mashiach very soon!
Shabbat Shalom,
Hanna
