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The Nesiim brought the shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the choshen. (35:27)

The Nesiim were the princes, or leaders, of every tribe.  Rashi cites the Midrash which notes the word Nesiim  is spelled in Hebrew without the two “yudin” that it would normally have.  This defective spelling was deliberate – as a punishment for their not bringing their contributions together with everyone else.  They had waited to see what would be lacking,  so that they would fill the deficit.  To their surprise and chagrin,  the national response was so overwhelming that there was almost nothing left for them to give.  Chazal note a  taint of laziness on their part which caused their…

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Take from yourselves a portion for Hashem, everyone whose heart motivates him shall bring it, as a gift for Hashem. (35:5)

In recognizing the contributions towards the Mishkan of the dor ha’midbar, generation of the wilderness,  the Torah  uses the phrase nedivus ha’lev, donations of the heart.  What is a donation of the heart?  Ibn Ezra notes two variances in the Torah’s idiom  regarding Klal Yisrael’s contribution.  Hashem commanded them, “Kechu me’itchem,” “Take from yourselves.”  To “take” is the opposite of to “give.”  Placing the prefix “mem” (meitchem) before a word changes its meaning.  Thus, “Kechu me’itchem” has the same meaning as “Tenu,” give.  Why did the Torah express this idea in such an awkward manner? Second, what is the meaning…

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