Parashat Teruma- Don't Be Lazy

Anyone who has attended a fundraiser and browsed through the dinner journal knows that the largest donations are always featured first. The journal begins with the special full-page ads, and ends with the small quarter-page ads and smaller ads which cost much less. In Parashat Teruma, it seems, a different policy was used. The Parasha begins with Hashem listing the eleven materials that Beneh Yisrael needed to donate toward the construction of the Mishkan. As we would expect, this list begins with the precious metals – gold, silver and copper, in that order. But by the time we reach the end of the list, we find something surprising. The most expensive materials which were donated are mentioned last. These were the “Abneh Miluim” and “Abneh Shoham” – precious stones which were affixed to the special garments worn by the Kohen Gadol. These were far more expensive even than the gold, and yet, they appear last in this list of materials (25:7). This question was addressed by the Or Ha’haim (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743), who offered several different answers. One of his answers is based on the Midrash’s discussion of these precious stones which were donated for the garments of the Kohen Gadol. Later, in Parashat Vayakhel (35:27), the Torah tells that these stones were donated by the Nesi’im, the leaders of the tribes. The Midrash explains that the Nesi’im did not think that the people would donate everything needed for the Mishkan, and so they decided to wait and see what would still be missing after the people brought all their contributions. They would then bring whatever was still needed. As it turned out, the people donated so many materials that Moshe needed to tell them to stop donating (36:6). All that remained were the precious stones, and so this is what the Nesi’im donated. Upon reading this account, we would, at first glance, feel great respect and admiration for the Nesi’im. They essentially “underwrote” this project, promising to donate everything that was lacking after the rest of the nation brought their donations, and they ended up bringing the most expensive items – the precious stones. Surprisingly, though, the Midrash is critical of the Nesi’im for delaying their contribution, donating only at the very end, after everyone else brought their donations. The Midrash comments that because the Nesi’im delayed, and brought their donation only at the end, the word “Nesi’im” is written in this verse (35:27) without the letter “Yod,” indicating that their contribution was deficient. For the same reason, the Or Ha’haim writes, the Torah mentions this donation last in its list of materials needed for the Mishkan. Although these stones were the most valuable of all the materials, nevertheless, since this donation was tainted, they are placed at the end of the list. We must understand, what could possibly be wrong with the Nesi’im’s decision? They generously volunteered to donate whatever was needed, and brought the most precious materials. Why did the Sages find this improper? The Rabbis of the Mussar movement explained that the Nesi’im’s decision was, indeed, generally noble, but it was marred by a slight tinge of laziness. G-d determined that the Nesi’im’s plan was partially motivated by laziness, by the convenience of delaying their donation. There was nothing inherently wrong with the decision per se, but the motivation stemmed, if only somewhat, from a desire to comfortably wait, rather than rushing to come forward and donate. This insight, then, teaches us of the unique importance of Zerizut – alacrity – in the performance of Misvot, and the gravity of laziness. Even if we do something intrinsically noble – even generously underwriting a project and giving the largest donation! – the action is deficient if it is done with some degree of laziness, without passion and zeal. The Gemara (Berachot 47b) teaches that one should endeavor to be among the first ten people to arrive in the synagogue for the Shaharit prayer in the morning. No matter how many people arrive after the first ten, the Gemara states, each of the first ten receive rewards equal to them all. The work Ateret Zekenim mentions a custom practiced by some especially pious individuals to observe a fast on a day when they failed to be among the first ten in the synagogue. It is important not only to come to the synagogue and pray with concentration and feeling, but also to come with Zerizut, without delay, promptly, showing our enthusiasm and passion for the Misva. We all, thank G-d, are involved in “building” a “Mishkan” throughout our lives. We all perform many Misvot, and are involved in many wonderful projects, and we should take pride in the beautiful “sanctuaries” that we are privileged to build. The Or Ha’haim’s comments remind us, however, that we must approach every Misva we perform with alacrity and zeal, rushing immediately to seize every opportunity that comes our way, thus showing Hashem – and our children – how much we value and cherish the Misvot, such that we do not want to delay any Misva for even a single moment.