In this week’s Parsha Moshe instructs the Bnei Yisrael to donate gifts of money, jewels and other equipment to help build the Mishkan. The Torah says that the Bnei Yisrael rushed to do this; they all gave generously and by the second day of collecting there was too much! The Torah says that the Nissim – the heads of each tribe (only) gave the precious rocks for the Urim VeTumim and the Efod – the special tablet and apron of the Kohain Gadol. The Medrash elaborates that when Moshe asked them for a donation the Nissim told Moshe they would give whatever was lacking after Moshe collected from the Bnei Yisrael. The problem was that there was nothing left to donate (because everyone was so excited to give) except the precious rocks for the apron-efod. The Medrash says that the Nissim (prince of each tribe) were punished because they should have been more excited to donate right away.
About six months later when the Mishkan is opening for the first time. The Nissim each donate 12 oxen, and 6 wagons to help carry the Mishkan walls when they need to travel. They came up with this idea because they wanted to find an opportunity to give.
We can learn an important lesson from here. There are times when we all “mess up” and make mistakes. Sometimes these can even be big mistakes that can not be repaired. Many people will feel down about themselves and walk around dejected when they “mess up.” We see from the Nissim that it is important to not only get back up and not feel down, but to also learn from your mistake and look for opportunities to improve in the area that you “messed up,” on.
Shabbat Shalom!
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