Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei (HaChodesh) 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
כל נדיב לבו יביאה את תרומת ה' ... (לה-ה)
MASHAL: Once, while taking a walk through the bustling streets of Flatbush, R’ Avigdor Miller zt”l, strolled past the imposing, magnificent structure of the Mirrer Yeshivah. Gazing up at the impressive structure, he turned to the talmidim accompanying him and casually remarked, “You know, this is the Miller Mirrer building.”
The “Miller” building? His followers were taken aback. They knew Rav Miller lived a life of deep simplicity and frugality; they had no idea he possessed the immense wealth required to dedicate such a monumental Torah center, let alone that he had contributed to its funding.
Seeing their bewilderment, Rav Miller smiled and explained his profound perspective: “If Hashem would grant me five million dollars, I know with absolute certainty that I would gladly give a large part of it to the Mirrer Yeshivah to build Torah. Since Hashem knows the absolute truth of my intentions, He considers it in Heaven exactly as if I myself sponsored this building.”
NIMSHAL: When Moshe gathered the entire Jewish nation to collect materials for the Mishkan, the Torah repeatedly emphasizes a specific trait: “nediv libo” and “nadva rucho,” describing one whose heart and spirit motivated him. This teaches us that the Mishkan wasn’t built merely from physical gold, silver, and copper; rather, it was constructed out of the pure desire to give. Even when someone lacks the physical funds, they can still possess this profound willingness of heart. To Hashem, that sincere, heartfelt desire is the ultimate contribution. When a person genuinely yearns to perform a mitzvah but is held back by circumstances, in the heavens it is credited as if he had performed the deed.