A Torah reflection from Louis Aiello, a member of the Team Friendship family.
Shabbat Shalom to y’all! This week we read Vayikra, “and He called,” with the second reading being Chapter 1, verse 14, to Chapter 2, verse 6.
Hashem is now speaking to Moshe directly from the completed Tabernacle, with His voice booming between the space of the two cherubim. The ascent offerings, such as the bulls and goats of the Tabernacle, are now explained in intricate detail, becoming at times incredibly descriptive. To the squeamish, the details can be unnerving as the blood is dashed onto the outer altar’s northeast and southwest corners.
Yet such ascent offerings are only reserved for those who can afford them; there are other options. If one is unable to bring cattle from their flock, a turtledove or pigeon will suffice. And even if one is so poor they can’t afford this, then an offering of fine flour, with oil poured over it and frankincense on top, will be enough. All the priest needs to do is take the pauper’s offering, scooping it out by the handful and burning it on the altar.
This teaches much about the inner workings of the Tabernacle, but more importantly, it shows how it wasn’t just an exclusive club reserved for a few. Indeed, all were welcome. Absolutely everyone had an opportunity to contribute, and regardless of what the offerings were, all equally pleased Hashem, for all had a chance to perform His mitzvot.
Truly, this says much about the inner workings of our communities and how all are instrumental to their continued operation. Even if one can’t offer any monetary means, still one can offer a fine measure of chesed and ahavah, kindness and love. When it comes to tzedakah, it doesn’t really matter how much someone contributes to a cause. It’s more important that they take the time to do so. If every single man, woman, and child contributed only a single coin a day to a cause, it certainly would make all the difference.
Certainly, each and every one of us has the ability to give back to our communities. It could be wealth, but it could also be other things too, including our time, our smiles, or our laughter. Sincerely, it’s all about showing the gratitude we have for others and the appreciation we show to those around us. Living in a community where gratitude is plentiful will surely lead to greater gifts beyond the initial tzedakah.
Sadly, today there is a saying: “What’s in it for me?” It’s the idea that if something doesn’t benefit the one who asks, then it’s not worth their time. It’s a form of pure selfishness, neglecting the many, coming from a form of ingratitude born of a lack of self-esteem. It’s disturbing how commonplace it has become. Yet even though the world may at this moment be riddled with such drivel, rest assured the Messianic Age is coming, when all will contribute toward all sorts of causes unknown to them.
May these 25 hours of Shabbat be a reminder to all of you of how special it is that Hashem has given every one of us the ability to perform tzedakah in one of its many forms.
Personally for me, this reminds me of a story I was told when I was quite young. It takes place in the old country. One day was Tzedakah Day, and everyone in the community had to contribute. So everybody lined up, ready to present their gifts. They were all extravagant, from the finest linens to the shiniest jewelry, with the valuables piling up one by one. Many attempted to outdo their neighbors and began to compete in the art of gift giving. Yet the very last person to contribute was the old beggar woman, who had no home of her own, and all she possessed were two silver coins. She flopped them into that shiny pile and they disappeared. Then, after smiling, she disappeared herself, for she had outdone them all. That was all she had.
Such a story weighed heavy on me, for I realized how even if one has nothing, still there is another who has even less. It made me appreciate the important things in life. It also made me realize that being poor isn’t an excuse not to help another human being. May this Shabbat sow our hearts and uplift them with shalom. 😀