If one follows the translation of this pasuk – “Every man and woman whose heart motivated them to bring – brought a free-willed offering” – seems redundant: “Whoever was motivated to bring – brought.” Is there any question concerning their offering? The commentators respond to this redundancy, each in his inimitable manner. I will focus on one such interpretation.
Horav Yehonasan Eibeshitz, zl, offers a practical explanation. When Moshe Rabbeinu made his appeal for the Mishkan, the entire Jewish nation responded positively – even the erev rav, mixed-multitude. This created a problem, since the members of the erev rav were now persona non grata, after their involvement in the eigel ha’zahav, Golden Calf, debacle. Indeed, they were the initiators of the sin that cost the Jewish People dearly. They had the perverse audacity to lead the nation in serving the Golden Calf. The Mishkan was to serve as an atonement for the Golden Calf. Here they were once again at the forefront of the tumult to contribute towards the Mishkan. What unmitigated chutzpah!
The nation had no intention of accepting their contributions and allowing them access to the Mishkan. However, there was one problem: How were they going to make up the money which the erev rav would have donated? By not including their donations, there would be a shortfall. The people came to a decision. The erev rav would not be included, yet there would be no shortfall. Why? The people would make up the difference. They would pay the erev rav’s portion from their own pockets, and thereby not permit the erev rav to mix in to their collective atonement. All of them would pay the money, so that the erev rav did not have a role in the Mishkan. This is what is meant by the pasuk when it implies that Bnei Yisrael gave twice. When the people saw that the kol ish v’isha, every man and woman (referring to the erev rav), came with his or her contribution, Bnei Yisrael immediately upped the ante and gave more money to cover the shortfall. They put their money where their mouths were. It is easy to refuse the erev rav, but are we willing to pay the tab?
