By Rabbi
Yisroel Shusterman
This
week’s Parsha Perspective is dedicated by Mr. Binyomin Philipson in memory
of his late mother Mrs. Ellen (Elka bas Zisel) Philipson OBM
The very first
United Jewish Appeal was launched this week. This
week's Torah reading, Terumah (Shmos [Exodus] 25:1-27:19)
deals with the first fundraising campaign in history. Moses initiated
it in order to build the Sanctuary in the wilderness as well as to acquire all
the materials needed for the special utensils required for the sacred services.
This is, therefore, a good time to talk about the art of giving.
The holy Rabbi Israel of
Ruzhin said that while some people claim that "If you give you are a fool
and if you take you are clever," Jewish tradition teaches us that those
who give and think they are only giving are, in fact, the fools. But those who
give and understand that they are also receiving, at the same time, are truly
wise.
The truth is that in
giving, we actually receive more than we give. And not only a slice of heaven
in far-away paradise, but even in the here and now. Certainly, in our
relationships - whether family, business or social - our generosity is often
reciprocated and we find the other party responding in kind. But it goes beyond
giving in order to get back. The very fact that we have done something good,
that which is right and noble, gives us a sense of satisfaction. "The
takers of the world may eat better. But the givers of the world sleep
better."
This explains the
unusual expression in G-d's words to Moses in our Parshah: v'yikchu
li terumah - "and they shall take for me a contribution."
Why take? Surely, give would be the more correct term. But
because in giving we are also receiving, the word take is also
appropriate. For the same reason we find that the Hebrew expression for
"acts of loving kindness" ("gemilut chassadim") is
always in the plural form. Because every time someone performs a single act of
kindness, at least two people are benefiting - the receiver and also the giver.
I have seen people
over the years who were good people, giving people, who shared and cared for
others. Then, after years of being givers, they stopped. Why? They became
frustrated at the lack of appreciation for all their hard work. After all they
had done for others, they never even received a simple "Thank You."
So they were disappointed, disillusioned, and in some instances, even bitter.
They resigned from public life and from whatever community services they were
involved in.
How sad that they
didn't realize that even if human beings are notoriously unappreciative, G-d
Almighty takes note of every act of kindness we perform. And He responds with
infinite blessings in his own way. Our sages taught that if we express regret
over the good that we have done, we might well forfeit all the merits we would
have otherwise deserved.
So whenever you
think you're a big deal because you did something for a good cause, remember;
you are receiving much more than you are giving. Let us all be givers and be
blessed for it.
(Excerpts
from Chabad.org - by Rabbi Yossy Goldman)
May you have a meaningful and
uplifting Shabbos
