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Dear Mogen David Family,

A few Parshiot ago we read about the Terumot, the donations, that were voluntarily offered for the materials and construction of the Mishkan. In the first section of this week's reading, Parashat Ki Tissa, we learn of the Machatzit HaShekel, the half-shekel, which we were obligated to give which provided, among other things, for the Korbanot Tzibbur offered in the Mishkan and later the Beit HaMikdash.

The dynamic between donations voluntarily offered and those we were demanded to give is interesting and informative. There are times we offer donations and believe ourselves generous, when in reality we are simply fulfilling the basic guidelines of Tzedaka; other times we give above and beyond what we are technically obligated to give, and these donations are certainly commendable and speak of a generous spirit. But we shouldn't confuse the two. We must each make a reckoning of what the Halacha demands, no different than honoring a contract in business where we pay our workers out of obligation and, not out of generosity of spirit.

Rashi comments that while almost all of the Keilim in the Mishkan were willfully and generously donated by Bnei Yisrael, the Yetedot, the sockets which provided the foundation of the Mishkan, were paid for by the obligatory donations. Why the distinction? Perhaps we should realize that while a spirit of volunteerism--"Nedivut Lev"--is crucial to our Avodat Hashem, it doesn't serve as the foundation of our devotion.

The basis of commitment to Mitzvot in general, and Tzedaka in particular, is out of a sense of obligation. Contributing to indigent individuals and communal institutions (local shuls, schools, etc...) is mandatory, even compulsory according to the Shulchan Aruch.

Yashayahu HaNavi tells us: "Tzion B'Mishpat Tipadeh V'Shaveha BiTzedaka." We no longer have a Beit HaMikdash to offer donations toward, but if we truly desire to witness the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash we must give Tzedaka, both out of obligation and out of generosity of spirit.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda Moses Rav HaKehillah/Senior Rabbi