Why did the people cease to bring donations for the Mishkan? The command was only that the people should stop building the Mishkan. Who mentioned money? Rav Shalom, the Admor M’Belz, zl, suggests a practical explanation. When people are involved in a davar she’bikdushah, holy endeavor, the spirit of sanctity and the desire to give more and more tzeddakah is overwhelming. As long as one is engaged, the mitzvah captivates him, inspiring him to contribute time, effort and money towards achieving its goal. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that one who is totally involved in a Torah endeavor will refrain from contributing toward it. Only when the work stops, when he is no longer under the influence of the mitzvah, when he is not suffused in the sanctity of the endeavor will he likewise refrain from contributing toward it. Moshe told the people to stop working. This led to the end of the donations.
We may derive a significant lesson from this pasuk. In order to encourage people to contribute towards a holy cause, we must first
involve them in it. Through their involvement, they will become inspired by the sanctity of the endeavor. People donate when they have a personal investment in a project. They contribute when they have a sensitivity toward a given endeavor or institution. They must feel they are a part of it, stimulated by its effect. One who is alienated from an organization — either in a philosophic sense or in an active manner– will not maintain a financial involvement.
