The opening command of our Parshah represents the first appeal for funds. Moshe Rabbeinu made the appeal, but he was doing so at the behest of Hashem. Perhaps, this is something we should consider when someone asks us to open our wallets to support a worthy cause: Whoever is making the request is acting on behalf of an institution or a chesed that has Hashem’s henpeck, seal of approval. Otherwise, he should not be soliciting our funds.
Parashas Terumah may begin with the first fund-raising campaign, but it is far more than a construction appeal. It represents the Torah’s foundational text for tzedakah. The nosein, contributor, must give with nedivus ha’lev, wholehearted motivation; only then is it v’yikchu, they shall take – not give, because one who gives with sincerity takes for himself. He expands himself, becoming a partner with Hashem in supporting those in need. Generosity that comes from the heart is a radiant expression of one’s identifying with the subject, the beneficiary, organization. He is not merely transferring funds. He is demonstrating who he is. Perhaps we can add that those who throw their money around in order to garner attention for their over-inflated egos, are also showing their true identities. Thus, the Torah is teaching that giving tzedakah is not the occasional act, but a declaration of who one is and the values he maintains and supports. Others will remember us for who we really are. This reality should override ego.
A philanthropist in England asked Horav Aharon Leib Shteinman, zl, why “today” we are experiencing such an influx of kollel fellows learning Torah. Never in the history of our People have we seen so much post-marriage learning. Rav Shteinman replied that there has never before been so many wealthy Torah Jews who understand the value of Torah. They must understand that their wealth is actually a pikadon, fund deposited with them, for the purpose of supporting the kollel fellows. Rav Shteinman was wont to say that the philanthropist is not supporting the individual who learns Torah. It is the other way around. By sharing his largesse with the learner, he is enabling the kollel fellow to support him. Torah does not need our support. Eitz chaim he la’machazikim bah, “It is a tree of life to those who hold on to it.” The Torah supports us.
Horav Meir Shapiro, zl, solicited a wealthy Jew for his yeshivah (Chachmei Lubin). As part of his “sales pitch,” he addressed the incredible z’chus, merit, of hachzokas ha’Torah, supporting the learning of Torah. The man responded with an intriguing offer,“I will give a handsome check for the yeshivah on the condition that you give me your chelek, portion, of Olam Habba.” Anyone who has a modicum of intelligence knows that Rav Meir Shapiro was an extraordinary marbitz Torah. In the area of Torah dissemination, he had no peer. As Rosh Yeshivah of Chachmei Lublin, which was Europe’s premier yeshivah, and as founder of the Daf Ha’Yomi, he had earned an enviable portion in Olam Habba. Yet, Rav Meir Shapiro did not bat an eyelash, and he immediately agreed to the exchange; this is how important and precious the yeshivah and its students were to him. The man kept his word and gave the Rosh Yeshivah a check to match the Rosh Yeshivah’s contribution. The man was a fine person, a gentleman who understood that he had used his largesse to drive a formidable bargain. He felt bad, but was not prepared to give it up. He asked the Rosh Yeshivah, “What will the Rebbe do concerning Olam Habba?” (You just gave the reward that you have spent a lifetime earning.) His reply should generate food for thought. He said, “I am certain that I will receive a portion in Olam Habba for the fact that I was mevater, gave in; my willingness to relinquish my Olam Habba for the sake of the Yeshivah would, in and of itself, earn an incredible merit of Olam Habba for me.”
Vitur is an expression of inner strength, manifesting a willingness to give up that which is technically mine in order to preserve something far greater. Indeed, Chazal teach that, considering one who is mevater, Hashem Himself steps in and ensures that person does not lose out.
A young teenager was conscripted into the Russian army. His father was a man of means who was willing to pay off an intermediary to “spread the wealth” and bribe the avaricious officers to dismiss his son. Nonetheless, he felt that he should discuss this with the gadol ha’dor, Horav Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, zl. The Rav listened to the man and said, “I, too, have such an intercessor. Give me the money, and I will be responsible to facilitate your son’s release.” He was successful in doing so. When the father returned to offer his gratitude, he asked for the identity of the intermediary. The Rav replied, “At the time that you came to present your halachic query, I was responding to a grieving, orphaned girl, all alone in the world, with not a penny to her name. I gave her your money, which brightened her life. I then sat down to recite Tehillim and supplicate Hashem that, in the merit of saving this orphan, your son should be freed from serving in the army. Hashem listened and responded positively.”
