Sicha, 11 Nissan 5736
A. Who Needs Money?
After the giving of the Torah, Moses turns to the Jews and asks them to donate materials for the construction of the Mishkan (Source 1). Where did they acquire all these materials? Before leaving Egypt, G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jews to ask the Egyptians for gold, silver, and valuable clothing. Why? So that Abraham would not say, “The promise of ‘they will be enslaved and oppressed,’ was fulfilled, but the promsie of ‘and afterward they will leave with great wealth’ was nor fulfilled.” (Source 2)
The Rebbe asks: Why did G-d initially promise in the Covenant of Parts that the Jews would leave Egypt with great wealth? In the desert, all their needs—food and clothing—were provided for them. Why was there a need for silver and gold?
The answer: After overcoming the great challenge of Egyptian exile while preserving their Jewish identity, the next challenge was to enter the wilderness and, in such a desolate place, build a Mishkan for G-d in the most beautiful and majestic way—using silver, gold, and cedar wood. Therefore, G-d ensured that they would leave Egypt with great wealth, along with the cedar trees that Jacob had planted in Egypt specifically for the Mishkan’s construction. (Source 3)
B. Setting the Right Priorities
When we build a synagogue or a Torah institution, we have an opportunity to publicly declare that holiness and spirituality are central to our lives. Just as we invest significantly in the beauty of our personal homes—far more than in a barn meant for animals—so too, we should pour even more effort into the grandeur of a house dedicated to honoring G-d. The use of wealth for spiritual matters serves as an educational message for us and for future generations, demonstrating how central and important spirituality is in life.
This principle is also reflected in the donation of gold and silver for the Mishkan and the Beit HaMikdash—by doing so, the Jews publicly expressed that the holiness of the Temple was of greater importance than their own homes.
An example of this idea: King David expressed his distress to the prophet Nathan over the fact that he was living in a grand palace while the Ark of the Covenant remained in a temporary tent. As a result, he began planning the construction of a magnificent Beit HaMikdash. (Source 4)
C. Wealth That Becomes a Burden
G-d desires that we use wealth in a positive and meaningful way. There was once a wealthy individual whose great fortune disrupted his life, leading to anxiety and paranoia.
A similar fate befell Korach, who could not withstand the test of wealth. His great riches led him down a destructive path, ultimately bringing him to publicly challenge Moses. About him, it is said: “Wealth kept by its owner, to their detriment”—meaning, it was precisely his vast fortune that caused his downfall. (Source 5)
Why does the Torah tell us about Korach, when it generally avoids speaking negatively about people, and even about animals? To teach us that the test of wealth is even greater than what we often assume. Even a G-d-fearing Jew may convince themselves that most of their wealth is meant for personal needs, with only a small portion to be given to tzedakah.
The fundamental mistake comes from the belief that money belongs to its “owner,” when in truth, G-d is the true owner of all possessions. We are merely G-d’s agents, entrusted with using wealth for higher, spiritual purposes.
