25 Feb 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.