Don’t be like Moshe

Moshe achieved the highest level of prophecy in Jewish history. Moshe merited to come the closest to having a one-to-one relationship with God. In most cases, we aspire to be like Moshe in all areas of Jewish practice – that is all areas save one.

In this week’s Torah portion, Terumah, we learn about the construction of the Mishkan, the portable dwelling place for the Divine, that traveled with the Jewish people in the desert. In addition to describing all the material that would be needed to construct the Mishkan, there was a call to the Jewish people to donate the materials. Moshe decided he would wait until all the material had been donated and then he would make up the difference. Unfortunately, for Moshe, the Jewish people donated so much for the Mishkan that there was material left over. There was nothing for Moshe to contribute. God gave Moshe a consolation and let him actually build the Mishkan with all of the donated material.

This story is a lesson for us today. When we can contribute to the needs of the community, it is best not to tarry. The opportunity may not last forever.