דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו לי תרומה
The well-known Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 33:1) begins with a quote from Mishlei (4:2): Ki lekach tov Nasati lachem, Torasi al ta’azovu; “The Torah is a lekach tov, good purchase—one that you should not forsake.” Chazal continue, underscoring the unique character and function of this mekach:“A person may purchase an item which is comprised of either silver or gold. The mekach which Hashem gave us has both gold and silver.” Chazal quote Sefer Tehillim, which describes the Torah as containing both silver and gold. The Midrash is enigmatic. Are there no items of value that contain both gold and silver? Many…
