What prevents us from reaching out to others? Often there are myriads of excuses that flood the conscious and subconscious when there’s a need for help: I don’t have the time, the money, the strength, the resources. There’s one excuse we don’t often hear: “I don’t have the will.”
After the Torah was given to us at Sinai, G-d asked us to build a home for Him, the portable Tabernacle sanctuary, and ultimately the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The specifications for this home included large quantities of precious metals and many other rare, fine materials. Considering the difficulty in amassing this stock, it’s surprising to find that the donations to the Tabernacle funds were so overwhelming that Moses had to ask them to stop giving. Every fundraiser should be blessed with such problems!
“Have them set aside a donation for Me, from every person whose heart is generous you shall take My donation.” (Exodus 25:2) Why is the contribution first referred to as “a donation” and then rephrased as “My donation”? These donors were those whose “hearts were generous” but they didn’t have the means to fulfill their desire. “Since your heart is generous, you’re willing but not able,” G-d says, “your ‘donation’ will become ‘My donation’ — I will bless you with the means to fulfill your heart’s desire.” The willingness will be the conduit for G-d’s blessing, His gift. (Based on R’ Yonasan Eibishitz & Shelah HaKadosh)
Having the will to help others is key. If the need is real, one that G-d has called us to, the only true excuse is “I don’t have the will.” Once we truly desire to reach out, G-d will give us the means to fulfill our calling, way beyond expectation.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Mordechai Dixler
This was a very important piece on giving donations. It is important because G-d blesses one that has, with the situation to give, to one that does not have. During these moments, we as humans rise spiritually. Which is what being a human is all about. But most importantly, when one gives, he/she receives more blessing than the receiver because G-d has allowed the giver to become a vessel or conduit of G-d’s will, which is to be charitable to the less fortunate. One of the hardest things to overcome when giving is to refrain from developing an overinflated ego, because it was G-d’s plan to allow one to give, not our own plan.
Shalom
This is in answer to the question you asked in the Shabbat e-mail you sent for me. When has G-d turned your sincere desire into a shower of blessing? For me this is my answer: God has never EVER failed me. I remember from the time I was born God being close to me. I started reading the newspaper and the Bible at the age of 4 years. I’ve always had a spiritual closeness to God. God has always turned my SINCERE desires( My hearts desires. The desires I had to help God with things here.)into a shower of blessing. I never doubt God. I know, for a fact, that God has my back and whatever I have EVER needed he has always taken care of me and blessed me. No doubt, full faith, 100% and then some. ALWAYS!