Parshat Pikudei Dvar Torah

This week’s Parsha is Parshat Pekudei. Within this Parsha, Moshe relays to Bnei Yisrael just how each of their donations had been used to help with the building of the Mishkan.

Why did Moshe call all of the Jews together to let them know exactly how all of the money and materials from their donation had been used? 

Moshe knew that he hadn’t taken anything, Hashem knew Moshe hadn’t taken anything, and the nation trusted Moshe. 

This raises the question as to why there is a need to make a huge public announcement that he did not take anything for himself. 

Rabbi Berel Wein offers a great insight into this question. Moshe was teaching Bnei Yisrael a lesson that has to do specifically with Tzedakah money. Jewish people have to make sure that all of the money collected for Tzedakah is always used only for that purpose. Not only that, but they also should be careful not to make it seem as though they themselves are using the money. 

If the person collecting the money usually dresses simply, and after collecting the money begins to wear nicer clothing, it could potentially raise suspicion that money were being taken from that collection. 

Moshe Rabbeinu teaches to go above and beyond to make sure everyone understands that what they are doing is honest and right in the eyes of people and Hashem! 

Good Shabbos!

By: Simcha Rosenberg (10th)