Every one of us has a role to play

As the Torah progresses with the building of the mishkan (tabernacle), we find the instructions of chapters 25–31 coming to life, culminating with Moshe telling Bezalel, “Do your magic” (end of chapter 35 through the beginning of chapter 36).

“Every man and woman who felt an urge in their heart to give something for all the work that G-d had ordered through Moses, they (the Israelites) brought a donation for G-d.” (35:29) Does “Every man” and “Every woman” refer only to those who had an urge to donate, or to every single person?

The Malbim shares a powerful interpretation that should remind us of how each and every person can make a contribution.

“What it means to say is that all these donations [of money] are not what G-d seeks. He wants the hearts. If there was a man or woman amongst the Israelites who did not donate, because the poor people have nothing to donate, they at least dedicated their hearts. They donated their hearts and their thoughts [and skills?]. They determined in their hearts that if they only had the means they’d donate all the money for the mishkan and its vessels.

“This is what it means when it says they felt the urge to donate a donation of the heart — they wanted to build the entire mishkan! The Israelites brought this man and this woman as a gift/donation to G-d. This man and this woman who desired with all their hearts to be involved – this is the ultimate donation that G-d wanted, and was receptive to accepting. It is as if Israel is bringing this kind of donation in that they merited to find among them straight, righteous people such as these.

It seems profound, but in truth it’s not such a novel idea.

The way life looks these days, some people manage to ride around the financial struggle that others live day in and day out. And many live check to check, are in debt, and truly cannot afford to participate in certain aspects of Jewish life, and certainly not in philanthropy, in the manner that others seem so able to do.

How can everyone nonetheless feel that “this is my mishkan”?