“Speak to the children of Israel, and they shall take Me a gift; from every man whose heart pledges, you shall collect My gift” (Exodus 25:2). “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “For a good lesson [lekaḥ] I have given you: My Torah, do not forsake it” (Proverbs 4:2). Do not forsake the acquisition [mikaḥ] that I gave to you. You have a person who acquires an acquisition, there is gold in it but there is no silver in it, there is silver in it but there is no gold in it. But the acquisition that I gave you, there is silver in it, as it is stated: “The sayings of the Lord are pure sayings, like silver purified” (Psalms 12:7), and there is gold in it, as it is stated: “They are more desirable than gold, than quantities of fine gold” (Psalms 19:11). There is a person who acquires fields but not orchards, orchards but not fields; but this acquisition, there are fields in it and there are orchards in it, as it is stated: “Your irrigated fields are an orchard of pomegranates” (Song of Songs 4:13). You have a person who acquires an acquisition, but people do not know what it is. However, from the fee of the intermediary it is known what he acquired. So too, the Torah, people know what it is only from the reward that Moses received, as it is stated: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face was radiant as He spoke with him” (Exodus 34:29). You have an acquisition that the one who sold it is sold with it. The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: I sold you the Torah; as it were, I was sold with it, as it is stated: “And they shall take Me a gift.”1The verse is usually understood to mean “they shall take for Me as a gift,” but the midrash understands it to mean “they shall take Me as a gift.” This is analogous to a king who had an only daughter. One of the kings came and took her [as a wife], and sought to go to his land and take his wife [with him]. He said to him: ‘My daughter whom I gave to you is an only child. To part from her, I am unable; to say to you do not take her, I am unable, because she is your wife. Rather, do this favor for me; wherever you go, prepare a small bedroom for me, so I can live with you, as I cannot forsake my daughter.’ So too, the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘I gave you the Torah. To leave it, I am unable. To say to you do not take it, I am unable. Rather, every place you go, build a house for Me so I may reside in it,’ as it is stated: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, [and I will dwell among them]” (Exodus 25:8).
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “You ascended on high; you took captives; [you acquired gifts among men; even the deviant, for the Lord God to dwell there]” (Psalms 68:19);2Although this verse is generally interpreted as being addressed to God, the midrash here interprets it as being addressed to Moses. all your greatness was only from On High. “You ascended On High” – “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3), “and Moses approached the thick cloud” (Exodus 20:18). “You took captives” – a king, when his armies are taken captive, he is troubled. Would you say the same is true here? The verse states: “You acquired” (Psalms 68:19) – when a person sells, he is distressed. The verse states: “Gifts among men” (Psalms 68:19) – this is what He said to them: ‘I ascribe in your regard as though I gave it to you as a gift.’3Thus, although the verse describes Moses as though he did battle with the angels and took the Torah by force, as one takes a captive, or acquired it as in an acquisition, and a person who had lost something important in one of these ways would be distressed, God is described as happy with Moses bringing the Torah to earth. “Even the deviant” (Psalms 68:19) – the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘What are the idolaters saying? That I will not return to be with [Israel] because they engaged in idol worship, as it is stated: “They have quickly deviated” (Deuteronomy 9:12). Even if they are deviant, I will not forsake them, and I will reside with them,’ as it is stated: “Even the deviant, for the Lord God to dwell” (Psalms 68:19).
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “I am asleep, but my heart is awake” (Song of Songs 5:2). The congregation of Israel said: I went to sleep regarding the end of days, but the Holy One blessed be He is awake, as it is stated: “God is the Rock of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalms 73:26).4The congregation of Israel is saying: Due to the length and difficulty of the exile I diverted my attention from hoping for redemption, but God is still awaiting my redemption (Matnot Kehuna). “I am asleep” from the mitzvot, but the merit of my patriarchs stands for me, and “my heart is awake.” I am asleep” due to the act of the Calf, “but my heart is awake,” and the Holy One blessed be He cleaves to me; that is, “they shall take Me a gift.” Open for me, my sister, my love” (Song of Songs 5:2) – until when will I be proceeding without a house, “for my head is filled with dew” (Song of Songs 5:2). Rather, “craft a sanctuary for Me” (Exodus 25:8), so I will not be outside.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – Rabbi Berekhya began: “Yours, Lord, is the greatness, and the might…for everything that is in the heavens and on the earth” (I Chronicles 29:11). You find that everything the Holy One blessed be He created above, He created below. Above, an abode and thick cloud, as it is stated: “See from the abode of Your holiness” (Isaiah 63:15). Thick cloud, [as it is stated]: “Moses approached the thick cloud [where God was]” (Exodus 20:18), and it is written: “Can He judge through the thick cloud?” (Job 22:13). Below, “then Solomon said: The Lord said that He would dwell in the thick cloud” (I Kings 8:12), and it is written: “I have built a house as an abode for You” (I Kings 8:13). Above, “seraphim were standing above Him” (Isaiah 6:2); below, “standing acacia wood” (Exodus 26:15). Above, cherubs, as it is stated: “who abides upon the cherubs” (Isaiah 37:16); below, “the cherubs shall be” (Exodus 25:20). Above, “the wheels were borne parallel to them” (Ezekiel 1:20); below, “The workmanship of the wheels was like the workmanship of the chariot’s wheel” (I Kings 7:33), and likewise, “and behold, there was one wheel on the ground” (Ezekiel 1:15). Above, “the Lord is in His Holy Sanctuary” (Psalms 11:4); below, “the Sanctuary of the Lord” (I Samuel 1:9). Above, “The kings of hosts flee again and again” (Psalms 68:13); below, “the hosts of the Lord departed” (Exodus 12:41). Above, “let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, [and let it divide between water and water]” (Genesis 1:6); below, “the curtain shall divide for you [between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies]” (Exodus 26:33). Above, “the throne of the Lord” (I Chronicles 29:23); below, “Throne of glory, exalted from the first, is the place of our Temple” (Jeremiah 17:12). Above, “Is there a number to His companies” (Job 25:3); below, “two men, captains of his companies” (II Samuel 4:2). Above, “And count the stars” (Genesis 15:5); below, “and, behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance” (Deuteronomy 1:10). Above, “Behold the man garbed in linen” (Ezekiel 9:11); below, “He shall don a sacred linen tunic” (Leviticus 16:4). Above, “The angel [malakh] of the Lord encamps” (Psalms 34:8); below, “as he is a messenger [malakh] of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7). Above, “he took it from upon the altar with tongs” (Isaiah 6:6); below, “You shall make for Me an altar of earth” (Exodus 20:21). Above, “and stretches them like a tent for dwelling” (Isaiah 40:22); below, “how goodly are your tents, Jacob” (Numbers 24:5). Above, “He spreads out the heavens like a sheet” (Psalms 104:2); below, “ten sheets” (Exodus 26:1). Above, “light rests with Him” (Daniel 2:22); below, “pure olive oil pressed for illumination” (Exodus 27:20). Moreover, everything that is below is more beloved that what is above. Know that He forsook what was above and descended to what was below, as it is stated: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). That is, “for everything that is in the heavens and on the earth” (I Chronicles 29:11), and it says: “Mine is the silver, and Mine the gold, the utterance of the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “A name is preferable [nivḥar] to great wealth” (Proverbs 22:1). The name of Moses is preferable, as it is stated: “Were it not for Moses His chosen one [beḥiro]” (Psalms 106:23), and likewise it says: “I have known you by name” (Exodus 33:17) – to Koraḥ’s wealth, as it is stated: “Two hundred and fifty firepans” (Numbers 16:17).5The implication of the verse is that all two hundred fifty gold firepans were provided by Koraḥ himself, which is an indication of his great wealth (Maharzu). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: Because you have wealth you are haughty? The name of Moses is preferable to all your wealth of silver and gold. That is, “and good grace to silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). Another matter: The name of Pinḥas is preferable to the wealth of Zimri, who was the prince of the tribe of Simeon. What did Zimri do? In his regard, Solomon said: “A wicked man is insolent” (Proverbs 21:29). “And the upright, he discerns his way” (Proverbs 21:29) – this is Pinḥas. In what way was Zimri insolent? It was, that when Kozbi came, he sought to take her. She said to him: ‘I will not submit to you, as my father commanded me that I should submit only to Moses.’ He said to her: ‘I am greater than Moses, as he is from the third tribe6Levi, Jacob’s third-born and I am from the second tribe.7Simeon, Jacob’s second-born Do you want to know that I am greater than Moses? I will take you in his presence,’ as it is stated: “And, behold, a man from the children of Israel came and brought the Midianite woman near to his brethren, before the eyes of Moses” (Numbers 25:6), as he was flinging words against [Moses]. He said to him: ‘Moses, is this one forbidden or permitted?’ He said to him: ‘She is forbidden to you.’ Zimri said to him: ‘Are you the one who is most faithful to the Torah, such that the Holy One blessed be He takes pride in you and says: “Not so My servant Moses; [in all My house he is faithful]” (Numbers 12:7)? If you say that this one is forbidden, then the wife that you took is forbidden to you. This one is Midianite and that one is Midianite. This one is the most prominent of her patrilineal family, and your wife is the daughter of a priest.’ That is, “before the eyes of Moses.” Solomon cries out: “A wicked man is insolent.” When they saw him8When the Israelite elders saw Zimri’s insolent attack on Moses. they were weeping, as it is stated: “And they were weeping” (Numbers 25:6). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, are you weeping? Where is your wisdom that you said something and you caused Koraḥ to be swallowed, and now you are weeping?’ The Divine Spirit calls out: “The stout-hearted ran rampant. They fell into a stupor” (Psalms 76:6). Moses said to Him: “There is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30).9Zimri’s attack is purely against the Lord. Therefore, human wisdom is irrelevant, and it is God who should punish Zimri (Yefe To’ar). The Holy One blessed be He said: I know who is prepared for this matter. What is written thereafter? “A horse is ready for the day of battle, but salvation is for the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31). Rabbi Yosei said: Pinḥas himself expounded: If a horse that gives its life on a day of war, even if it dies, it gives its life for its owner, I, for the sanctity of the name of the Holy One blessed be He, all the more so. “Pinḥas son of Elazar saw” (Numbers 25:7) – he began saying to himself: What will I do? Two can prevail over one; can one, perhaps, prevail over two? While he was deliberating to himself, the plague was afflicting and the Holy One blessed be He was saying: “You faltered on a day of trouble” (Proverbs 24:10), “Deliver those taken to death” (Proverbs 24:11). “If you say: Behold, we did not know this” (Proverbs 24:12), I will attest in your regard, as it is stated: “Is He not the assessor of hearts, He understands” (Proverbs 24:12).10God said to Pinḥas: If you are concerned that people will suspect your motives, I will attest that your motives were pure (Rabbi David Luria). Pinḥas entered, and he found that the Holy One blessed be He had secured them one to the other; they were intertwined one with the other, and they were unable to separate themselves. And he stabbed them in the place of their attachment, as it is stated: “He stabbed the two of them” (Numbers 25:8). When he exited, the tribe of Zimri entered. What did the Holy One blessed be He do? He smote them all with the plague. When Pinḥas saw the plague, he was standing and praying, as it is stated: “Pinḥas stood and he prayed” (Psalms 106:30). Immediately the Holy One blessed be He summoned Moses and said to him: ‘Come and I will inform you who preserved the descendants of Abraham,’ as it is stated: “Pinḥas son of Elazar [the son of Aaron the priest has turned My wrath away from the children of Israel]” (Numbers 25:11). That is why it is stated: “A name is preferable to great wealth” (Proverbs 22:1). Another matter: The name of Mordekhai is preferable to the wealth of Haman. Rabbi Yoshiya said: What did that wicked one do? He took out all the silver and gold that he had and he gave it to Aḥashverosh. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘By your life, “good grace [ḥen] is preferable to silver and gold”’ (Proverbs 22:1). The grace of Esther, as it is stated: “Esther found favor [ḥen]” (Esther 2:15), is preferable. When the wicked one came with the money, the king said to him: “The money is given to you” (Esther 3:11). The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Is this how you are selling Mine for what is Mine?’ As it is stated: “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me” (Leviticus 25:55), and it is written: “The silver and the gold are Mine” (Haggai 2:8). ‘As you live, what you said: “The money is given to you…,” so, “on that day, King Aḥashverosh gave the house of Haman to Queen Esther”’ (Esther 8:1).
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “For a good lesson [lekaḥ] I have given you (Proverbs 4:2). Rabbi Berekhya HaKohen ben Rabbi11When the term Rabbi is used without mention of which rabbi, it is generally a reference to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. That cannot be the case here, as Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi was not a priest. The meaning of “ben Rabbi [berabbi]” may be that Rabbi Berekhya was a student of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. Alternatively, the term berabbi may be used similarly to the term beribi, which means, “the esteemed.” said: The way of the world is that when a person sells an object from his house, he is sad over it. But the Holy One blessed be He gave the Torah to Israel and is joyful; that is, “a good acquisition [lekaḥ].” The way of the world is that when a person acquires an object he exerts himself to protect it, but the Torah protects its owners, as it is stated: “When you walk it will guide you; [when you lie down, it will protect you]” (Proverbs 6:22). The way of the world is that when a person acquires an object from the marketplace, can he perhaps acquire its owner? But the Holy One blessed be He gave the Torah to Israel and says to them, as it were: It is I that you are acquiring. That is, “they shall take Me a gift.”
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “Moses commanded us the Torah” (Deuteronomy 33:4). Rabbi Simlai expounded: Six hundred and thirteen mitzvot were given to Israel through Moses, as that is the numerical value of Torah.12Tav is four hundred, vav is six, resh is two hundred, and heh is five, for a total of six hundred and eleven, as the midrash is about to note. If you say it is only six hundred and eleven, and where are the other two; the Rabbis say: “I am [the Lord your God]” (Exodus 20:2) and, “You shall have no [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3) they heard from the mouth of the Almighty, and Moses told them six hundred and eleven, as it is stated: “Moses commanded us the Torah, a heritage…” (Deuteronomy 33:4). Do not read “a heritage [morasha],” but an inheritance [yerusha]; it is an eternal inheritance for Israel. This is analogous to the son of kings who was taken captive overseas when he was young. Even after several years, he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors. So too, a Torah scholar who leaves the Torah and engages in other matters, even after several years, if he seeks to return he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors. Another matter: “Heritage” – do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]. Just as a groom, as long as he has not married his betrothed he is a frequent visitor to his father-in-law’s house; once he marries her, her father comes to her. So too, until the Torah was given to Israel, “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3). Once the Torah was given, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). Another matter: Do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]; this teaches that the Torah is betrothed to Israel, as it is stated: “I will betroth you to Me forever” (Hosea 2:21). From where is it derived that it is like a married woman for the idolaters?13Since the Torah is compared to a woman who is betrothed to Israel, if other nations study it they are compared to one who commits adultery with a married woman. From where is it derived that they are punished as adulterers? As it is stated: “Can a man stoke fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? If a man walks on hot coals, will his feet not be scalded? So is one who consorts with another’s wife” (Proverbs 6:27–29).14The verse compares one who commits adultery to one who touches fire. Since Torah is compared to fire (see Jeremiah 23:29), the comparison indicates that non-Jews who engage in Torah study are considered as though they commit adultery (Midrash HaMevo’ar).
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – when the Holy One blessed be He told Moses about the matters pertaining to the Tabernacle, he said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, is Israel capable of crafting it?’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Even one member of Israel is capable of crafting it,’ as it is stated: “From each man whose heart moves him” (Exodus 25:2). The Rabbis said: Jewels and pearls would fall amidst the manna that was falling for Israel, and the prominent among them would come, gather them, and store them. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “They brought him more gifts morning after morning” (Exodus 36:3). Did they bring in the morning, but in the afternoon they did not bring? It is rather that they brought from what the manna would bring down for them. Likewise, it says: “The princes [nesiim]15Another meaning of the word nesiim is clouds (see Yoma 75b). Thus, the implication is that these stones fell from the clouds along with the manna. brought [the onyx stones and the stones for setting]” (Exodus 35:27). “This is the gift that you shall collect from them: gold, silver, and bronze” (Exodus 25:3) “This is the gift” (Exodus 25:3) – Rabbi Tavyomei said: When the time arrived for Jacob our patriarch to depart from the world, he called his sons and said to them: ‘Know that the Holy One blessed be He is destined to say to your descendants to craft a Tabernacle; however, all its needs must be ready in their possession,’ as it is stated: “And God will be with you” (Genesis 48:21). Does it enter your mind that when Jacob our patriarch was alive the Holy One blessed be He was not with his sons? Rather, so he said to them: ‘He is destined to say to you: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me” (Exodus 25:8), and He will descend and rest His presence in your midst, as it is stated: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).’ Some prepared items for themselves and some forgot. When Moses came and they crafted the Tabernacle, some brought from their own, and some brought only from what was already in their possession, as it says: “And every man with whom was found sky-blue, purple, [and scarlet wool” (Exodus 35:23), and it says: “And every man with whom acacia wood was found” (Exodus 35:24).16The verses stress regarding these items that the individuals with whom they were found brought them, in order to indicate that they had stored these items in advance in preparation for the building of the Tabernacle.
וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב (משלי ד, ב): כִּי לֶקַח טוֹב נָתַתִּי לָכֶם תּוֹרָתִי אַל תַּעֲזֹבוּ, אַל תַּעֲזֹבוּ אֶת הַמִּקָּח שֶׁנָּתַתִּי לָכֶם, יֵשׁ לְךָ אָדָם שֶׁלּוֹקֵחַ מִקָּח, יֵשׁ בּוֹ זָהָב אֵין בּוֹ כֶסֶף, יֵשׁ בּוֹ כֶסֶף אֵין בּוֹ זָהָב, אֲבָל הַמִּקָּח שֶׁנָּתַתִּי לָכֶם יֵשׁ בּוֹ כֶסֶף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים יב, ז): אִמְרוֹת ה' אֲמָרוֹת טְהֹרוֹת כֶּסֶף צָרוּף. יֵשׁ בּוֹ זָהָב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים יט, יא): הַנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב וּמִפָּז רָב. יֵשׁ אָדָם לוֹקֵחַ שָׂדוֹת אֲבָל לֹא כְרָמִים, כְּרָמִים וְלֹא שָׂדוֹת, אֲבָל הַמִּקָּח הַזֶּה יֵשׁ בּוֹ שָׂדוֹת וְיֵשׁ בּוֹ כְּרָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שיר השירים ד, יג): שְׁלָחַיִךְ פַּרְדֵּס רִמּוֹנִים. יֵשׁ לְךָ אָדָם לוֹקֵחַ מִקָּח וּבְנֵי אָדָם אֵינָן יוֹדְעִין מַהוּ, אֲבָל מִשְֹּׂכַר הַסַּרְסוּר נִתְוַדַּע מַה לָּקַח. כָּךְ הַתּוֹרָה אֵין אָדָם יוֹדֵעַ מַה הִיא, אֶלָּא מִשָֹּׂכָר שֶׁלָּקַח משֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות לד, כט): וּמשֶׁה לֹא יָדַע כִּי קָרַן עוֹר פָּנָיו בְּדַבְּרוֹ אִתּוֹ. וְיֵשׁ לְךָ מִקָּח שֶׁמִּי שֶׁמְּכָרוֹ נִמְכָּר עִמּוֹ, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, מָכַרְתִּי לָכֶם תּוֹרָתִי, כִּבְיָכוֹל נִמְכַּרְתִּי עִמָּהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ בַּת יְחִידָה, בָּא אֶחָד מִן הַמְּלָכִים וּנְטָלָהּ, בִּקֵּשׁ לֵילֵךְ לוֹ לְאַרְצוֹ וְלִטֹּל לְאִשְׁתּוֹ. אָמַר לוֹ: בִּתִּי שֶׁנָּתַתִּי לְךָ יְחִידִית הִיא, לִפְרשׁ מִמֶּנָּה אֵינִי יָכוֹל, לוֹמַר לְךָ אַל תִּטְלָהּ אֵינִי יָכוֹל לְפִי שֶׁהִיא אִשְׁתֶּךָ, אֶלָּא, זוֹ טוֹבָה עֲשֵׂה לִי, שֶׁכָּל מָקוֹם שֶׁאַתָּה הוֹלֵךְ קִיטוֹן אֶחָד עֲשֵׂה לִי, שֶׁאָדוּר אֶצְלְכֶם, שֶׁאֵינִי יָכוֹל לְהַנִּיחַ אֶת בִּתִּי. כָּךְ אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת הַתּוֹרָה, לִפְרשׁ הֵימֶנָּה אֵינִי יָכוֹל, לוֹמַר לָכֶם אַל תִּטְלוּהָ אֵינִי יָכוֹל, אֶלָּא בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁאַתֶּם הוֹלְכִים בַּיִת אֶחָד עֲשׂוּ לִי שֶׁאָדוּר בְּתוֹכוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כה, ח): וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ.
“Speak to the children of Israel, and they shall take Me a gift; from every man whose heart pledges, you shall collect My gift” (Exodus 25:2).
“They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “For a good lesson [lekaḥ] I have given you: My Torah, do not forsake it” (Proverbs 4:2). Do not forsake the acquisition [mikaḥ] that I gave to you. You have a person who acquires an acquisition, there is gold in it but there is no silver in it, there is silver in it but there is no gold in it. But the acquisition that I gave you, there is silver in it, as it is stated: “The sayings of the Lord are pure sayings, like silver purified” (Psalms 12:7), and there is gold in it, as it is stated: “They are more desirable than gold, than quantities of fine gold” (Psalms 19:11).
There is a person who acquires fields but not orchards, orchards but not fields; but this acquisition, there are fields in it and there are orchards in it, as it is stated: “Your irrigated fields are an orchard of pomegranates” (Song of Songs 4:13).
You have a person who acquires an acquisition, but people do not know what it is. However, from the fee of the intermediary it is known what he acquired. So too, the Torah, people know what it is only from the reward that Moses received, as it is stated: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face was radiant as He spoke with him” (Exodus 34:29).
You have an acquisition that the one who sold it is sold with it. The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: I sold you the Torah; as it were, I was sold with it, as it is stated: “And they shall take Me a gift.”1The verse is usually understood to mean “they shall take for Me as a gift,” but the midrash understands it to mean “they shall take Me as a gift.” This is analogous to a king who had an only daughter. One of the kings came and took her [as a wife], and sought to go to his land and take his wife [with him]. He said to him: ‘My daughter whom I gave to you is an only child. To part from her, I am unable; to say to you do not take her, I am unable, because she is your wife. Rather, do this favor for me; wherever you go, prepare a small bedroom for me, so I can live with you, as I cannot forsake my daughter.’ So too, the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘I gave you the Torah. To leave it, I am unable. To say to you do not take it, I am unable. Rather, every place you go, build a house for Me so I may reside in it,’ as it is stated: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, [and I will dwell among them]” (Exodus 25:8).
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב (תהלים סח, יט): עָלִיתָ לַמָּרוֹם שָׁבִיתָ שֶׁבִי, כָּל עִלּוּיֶיךָ לֹא הָיָה אֶלָּא מִן הַמָּרוֹם, עָלִיתָ לַמָּרוֹם, (שמות יט, ג): וּמשֶׁה עָלָה אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים, (שמות כ, כא): וּמשֶׁה נִגַּשׁ אֶל הָעֲרָפֶל. שָׁבִיתָ שֶׁבִי, מֶלֶךְ בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁחֲיָלוֹתָיו נִשְׁבִּים הוּא מֵצַר, תֹּאמַר אַף כָּאן כָּךְ, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר (תהלים סח, יט): לָקַחְתָּ. וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁאָדָם מוֹכֵר הוּא מֵצַר, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר (תהלים סח, יט): מַתָּנוֹת בָּאָדָם, אָמַר לָהֶם כָּךְ אֲנִי מַעֲלֶה עֲלֵיכֶם כְּאִלּוּ מַתָּנָה נְתַתִּיהָ לָכֶם. (תהלים סח, יט): אַף סוֹרְרִים, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה, מָה עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים אוֹמְרִין שֶׁאֵינִי חוֹזֵר עִמָּהֶם עַל שֶׁעָבְדוּ עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ט, יב): סָרוּ מַהֵר, אֲפִלּוּ סוֹרְרִים הֵן אֵינִי מַנִּיחַ אוֹתָם וְעִמָּהֶם אֲנִי דָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: אַף סוֹרְרִים לִשְׁכֹּן יָהּ אֱלֹהִים.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “You ascended on high; you took captives; [you acquired gifts among men; even the deviant, for the Lord God to dwell there]” (Psalms 68:19);2Although this verse is generally interpreted as being addressed to God, the midrash here interprets it as being addressed to Moses. all your greatness was only from On High. “You ascended On High” – “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3), “and Moses approached the thick cloud” (Exodus 20:18). “You took captives” – a king, when his armies are taken captive, he is troubled. Would you say the same is true here? The verse states: “You acquired” (Psalms 68:19) – when a person sells, he is distressed. The verse states: “Gifts among men” (Psalms 68:19) – this is what He said to them: ‘I ascribe in your regard as though I gave it to you as a gift.’3Thus, although the verse describes Moses as though he did battle with the angels and took the Torah by force, as one takes a captive, or acquired it as in an acquisition, and a person who had lost something important in one of these ways would be distressed, God is described as happy with Moses bringing the Torah to earth.
“Even the deviant” (Psalms 68:19) – the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘What are the idolaters saying? That I will not return to be with [Israel] because they engaged in idol worship, as it is stated: “They have quickly deviated” (Deuteronomy 9:12). Even if they are deviant, I will not forsake them, and I will reside with them,’ as it is stated: “Even the deviant, for the Lord God to dwell” (Psalms 68:19).
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שיר השירים ה, ב): אֲנִי יְשֵׁנָה וְלִבִּי עֵר, אָמְרָה כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲנִי יָשַׁנְתִּי לִי מִן הַקֵּץ, אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עֵר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים עג, כו): צוּר לְבָבִי וְחֶלְקִי אֱלֹהִים לְעוֹלָם. אֲנִי יְשֵׁנָה מִן הַמִּצְווֹת, אֲבָל זְכוּת אֲבוֹתַי עוֹמֶדֶת לִי וְלִבִּי עֵר. אֲנִי יְשֵׁנָה מִמַעֲשֵׂה הָעֵגֶל, וְלִבִּי עֵר, וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַרְתִּיק עָלַי, הֱוֵי: וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה. (שיר השירים ה, ב): פִּתְחִי לִי אֲחֹתִי רַעְיָתִי, עַד מָתַי אֶהְיֶה מִתְהַלֵּךְ בְּלֹא בַּיִת, (שיר השירים ה, ב): שֶׁרֹאשִׁי נִמְלָא טָל, אֶלָּא עֲשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ שֶׁלֹא אֶהְיֶה בַּחוּץ.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “I am asleep, but my heart is awake” (Song of Songs 5:2). The congregation of Israel said: I went to sleep regarding the end of days, but the Holy One blessed be He is awake, as it is stated: “God is the Rock of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalms 73:26).4The congregation of Israel is saying: Due to the length and difficulty of the exile I diverted my attention from hoping for redemption, but God is still awaiting my redemption (Matnot Kehuna). “I am asleep” from the mitzvot, but the merit of my patriarchs stands for me, and “my heart is awake.” I am asleep” due to the act of the Calf, “but my heart is awake,” and the Holy One blessed be He cleaves to me; that is, “they shall take Me a gift.” Open for me, my sister, my love” (Song of Songs 5:2) – until when will I be proceeding without a house, “for my head is filled with dew” (Song of Songs 5:2). Rather, “craft a sanctuary for Me” (Exodus 25:8), so I will not be outside.
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה פָּתַח (דברי הימים א כט, יא): לְךָ ה' הַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַגְּבוּרָה וגו' כִּי כֹל בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ, אַתָּה מוֹצֵא כָּל מַה שֶּׁבָּרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמַעְלָן בָּרָא לְמַטָּן. לְמַעְלָן זְבוּל וַעֲרָפֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה סג, טו): וּרְאֵה מִזְּבֻל קָדְשְׁךָ, עֲרָפֶל (שמות כ, יח): וּמשֶׁה נִגַּשׁ אֶל הָעֲרָפֶל, וּכְתִיב (איוב כב, יג): הַבְעַד עֲרָפֶל יִשְׁפּוֹט. לְמַטָּן (מלכים א ח, יב): אָז אָמַר שְׁלֹמֹה ה' אָמַר לִשְׁכֹּן בָּעֲרָפֶל, וּכְתִיב (מלכים א ח, יג): בָּנֹה בָּנִיתִי בֵּית זְבֻל לָךְ. לְמַעְלָן (ישעיה ו, ב): שְׂרָפִים עֹמְדִים מִמַּעַל לוֹ. לְמַטָּן (שמות כו, טו): עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים עֹמְדִים. לְמַעְלָן כְּרוּבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה לז, טז): ישֵׁב הַכְּרֻבִים, לְמַטָּן (שמות כה, כ): וְהָיוּ הַכְּרוּבִים. לְמַעְלָן (יחזקאל א, כ): וְהָאוֹפַנִּים יִנָּשְֹּׂאוּ לְעֻמָּתָם. לְמַטָּן (מלכים א ז, לג): וּמַעֲשֵׂה הָאוֹפַנִּים כְּמַעֲשֵׂה אוֹפַן הַמֶּרְכָּבָה, וְכֵן (יחזקאל א, טו): וְהִנֵּה אוֹפַן אֶחָד בָּאָרֶץ. לְמַעְלָן (תהלים יא, ד): ה' בְּהֵיכַל קָדְשׁוֹ. לְמַטָּן (שמואל א א, ט): הֵיכַל ה'. לְמַעְלָן (תהלים סח, יג): מַלְכֵי צְבָאוֹת יִדֹּדוּן יִדֹּדוּן. לְמַטָּן (שמות יב, מא): יָצְאוּ כָּל צִבְאוֹת ה'. לְמַעְלָן (בראשית א, ו): יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם. לְמַטָּן (שמות כו, לג): וְהִבְדִּילָה הַפָּרֹכֶת לָכֶם. לְמַעְלָן (דברי הימים א כט, כג): כִּסֵּא ה'. לְמַטָּן (ירמיה יז, יב); כִּסֵּא כָבוֹד מָרוֹם מֵרִאשׁוֹן מְקוֹם מִקְדָּשֵׁנוּ. לְמַעְלָן (איוב כה, ג): הֲיֵשׁ מִסְפָּר לִגְדוּדָיו. לְמַטָּן (שמואל ב ד, ב): וּשְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים שָׂרֵי גְדוּדִים. לְמַעְלָן (בראשית טו, ה): וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים. לְמַטָּן (דברים א, י): וְהִנְכֶם הַיּוֹם כְּכוֹכְבֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם לָרֹב. לְמַעְלָן (יחזקאל ט, יא): וְהִנֵּה הָאִישׁ לְבוּשׁ הַבַּדִּים. לְמַטָּן (ויקרא טז, ד): כְּתֹנֶת בַּד קֹדֶשׁ יִלְבָּשׁ. לְמַעְלָן (תהלים לד, ח): חֹנֶה מַלְאַךְ ה', וּלְמַטָּן (מלאכי ב, ז): כִּי מַלְאַךְ ה' צְבָאוֹת הוּא. לְמַעְלָן (ישעיה ו, ז): בְּמֶלְקָחַיִם לָקַח מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וּלְמַטָּן (שמות כ, כד): מִזְבַּח אֲדָמָה תַּעֲשֶׂה לִי. לְמַעְלָן (ישעיה מ, כב): וַיִּמְתָּחֵם כָּאֹהֶל לָשָּׁבֶת. לְמַטָּן (במדבר כד, ה): מַה טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ יַעֲקֹב. לְמַעְלָן (תהלים קד, ב): נוֹטֶה שָׁמַיִם כַּיְרִיעָה, וּלְמַטָּן (שמות כו, א): עֶשֶׂר יְרִיעֹת. לְמַעְלָן (דניאל ב, כב): וּנְהוֹרָא עִמֵּהּ שְׁרֵא. לְמַטָּן (שמות כז, כ): שֶׁמֶן זַיִת זָךְ כָּתִית לַמָּאוֹר, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁחֲבִיבִין כָּל מַה שֶּׁלְּמַטָּן מִשֶּׁל לְמַעְלָן, תֵּדַע לָךְ שֶׁהִנִּיחַ מַה שֶּׁלְּמַעְלָן וְיָרַד בְּשֶׁלְּמַטָּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כה, ח): וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם, הֱוֵי: כִּי כֹל בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ, וְאוֹמֵר (חגי ב, ח): לִי הַכֶּסֶף וְלִי הַזָּהָב אָמַר ה' צְבָאוֹת.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – Rabbi Berekhya began: “Yours, Lord, is the greatness, and the might…for everything that is in the heavens and on the earth” (I Chronicles 29:11). You find that everything the Holy One blessed be He created above, He created below. Above, an abode and thick cloud, as it is stated: “See from the abode of Your holiness” (Isaiah 63:15). Thick cloud, [as it is stated]: “Moses approached the thick cloud [where God was]” (Exodus 20:18), and it is written: “Can He judge through the thick cloud?” (Job 22:13). Below, “then Solomon said: The Lord said that He would dwell in the thick cloud” (I Kings 8:12), and it is written: “I have built a house as an abode for You” (I Kings 8:13).
Above, “seraphim were standing above Him” (Isaiah 6:2); below, “standing acacia wood” (Exodus 26:15). Above, cherubs, as it is stated: “who abides upon the cherubs” (Isaiah 37:16); below, “the cherubs shall be” (Exodus 25:20). Above, “the wheels were borne parallel to them” (Ezekiel 1:20); below, “The workmanship of the wheels was like the workmanship of the chariot’s wheel” (I Kings 7:33), and likewise, “and behold, there was one wheel on the ground” (Ezekiel 1:15). Above, “the Lord is in His Holy Sanctuary” (Psalms 11:4); below, “the Sanctuary of the Lord” (I Samuel 1:9). Above, “The kings of hosts flee again and again” (Psalms 68:13); below, “the hosts of the Lord departed” (Exodus 12:41). Above, “let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, [and let it divide between water and water]” (Genesis 1:6); below, “the curtain shall divide for you [between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies]” (Exodus 26:33). Above, “the throne of the Lord” (I Chronicles 29:23); below, “Throne of glory, exalted from the first, is the place of our Temple” (Jeremiah 17:12). Above, “Is there a number to His companies” (Job 25:3); below, “two men, captains of his companies” (II Samuel 4:2). Above, “And count the stars” (Genesis 15:5); below, “and, behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance” (Deuteronomy 1:10).
Above, “Behold the man garbed in linen” (Ezekiel 9:11); below, “He shall don a sacred linen tunic” (Leviticus 16:4). Above, “The angel [malakh] of the Lord encamps” (Psalms 34:8); below, “as he is a messenger [malakh] of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7). Above, “he took it from upon the altar with tongs” (Isaiah 6:6); below, “You shall make for Me an altar of earth” (Exodus 20:21). Above, “and stretches them like a tent for dwelling” (Isaiah 40:22); below, “how goodly are your tents, Jacob” (Numbers 24:5). Above, “He spreads out the heavens like a sheet” (Psalms 104:2); below, “ten sheets” (Exodus 26:1). Above, “light rests with Him” (Daniel 2:22); below, “pure olive oil pressed for illumination” (Exodus 27:20). Moreover, everything that is below is more beloved that what is above. Know that He forsook what was above and descended to what was below, as it is stated: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). That is, “for everything that is in the heavens and on the earth” (I Chronicles 29:11), and it says: “Mine is the silver, and Mine the gold, the utterance of the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (משלי כב, א): נִבְחַר שֵׁם מֵעשֶׁר רָב, נִבְחַר שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל משֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קו, כג): לוּלֵי משֶׁה בְּחִירוֹ, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (שמות לג, יז): וָאֵדָעֲךָ בְּשֵׁם, מֵעָשְׁרוֹ שֶׁל קֹרַח, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר טז, יג): חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתַיִם מַחְתֹּת, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לְךָ עשֶׁר אַתָּה מִתְגָּאֶה, נִבְחַר שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל משֶׁה מִכָּל עָשְׁרְךָ שֶׁל כֶּסֶף וְשֶׁל זָהָב, הֱוֵי (משלי כב, א): מִכֶּסֶף וּמִזָּהָב חֵן טוֹב. דָּבָר אַחֵר, נִבְחַר שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל פִּנְחָס מִן עָשְׁרוֹ שֶׁל זִמְרִי שֶׁהָיָה נְשִׂיא שֵׁבֶט שִׁמְעוֹן, וּמֶה עָשָׂה זִמְרִי עָלָיו אָמַר שְׁלֹמֹה (משלי כא, כט): הֵעֵז אִישׁ רָשָׁע בְּפָנָיו, זֶה זִמְרִי, (משלי כא, כט): וְיָשָׁר הוּא יָבִין דַּרְכּוֹ, זֶה פִּנְחָס. וּמָה הֵעֵז זִמְרִי, אֶלָּא כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּאָה כָּזְבִּי בִּקֵּשׁ לִטְּלָהּ, אָמְרָה לוֹ אֵינִי נִשְׁמַעַת לְךָ שֶׁכֵּן צִוַּנִּי אַבָּא שֶׁלֹא אֶהְיֶה נִשְׁמַעַת אֶלָּא לְמשֶׁה, אָמַר לָהּ אֲנִי גָּדוֹל מִמּשֶׁה שֶׁהוּא מִשֵּׁבֶט ג' וַאֲנִי מִשֵּׁבֶט ב', וּרְצוֹנֵךְ לֵידַע שֶׁאֲנִי גָדוֹל מִמּשֶׁה, בְּפָנָיו אֲנִי נוֹטֵל אוֹתָךְ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כה, ו): וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּא וַיַּקְרֵב אֶל אֶחָיו אֶת הַמִּדְיָנִית לְעֵינֵי משֶׁה, שֶׁהָיָה מַקִּישׁ דְּבָרִים כְּנֶגְדוֹ, אָמַר לוֹ, משֶׁה, זוֹ אֲסוּרָה אוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת, אָמַר לוֹ, אֲסוּרָה הִיא לָךְ, אָמַר לוֹ זִמְרִי, אַתָּה הוּא הַנֶּאֱמָן שֶׁל תּוֹרָה שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִתְגָּאֶה בְּךָ וְאוֹמֵר (במדבר יב, ז): לֹא כֵן עַבְדִּי משֶׁה, שֶׁאַתָּה אוֹמֵר אֲסוּרָה זוֹ, אַף אִשְׁתְּךָ שֶׁנָּטַלְתָּ אֲסוּרָה הִיא לָךְ, זוֹ מִדְיָנִית וְזוֹ מִדְיָנִית, זוֹ גְּדוֹלָה בַּת אָבוֹת, וְאִשְׁתְּךָ בַּת כֹּמֶר, הֱוֵי: לְעֵינֵי משֶׁה, וּשְׁלֹמֹה צוֹוֵחַ: הֵעֵז אִישׁ רָשָׁע בְּפָנָיו. וְכֵיוָן שֶׁרָאוּ אוֹתוֹ הָיוּ בּוֹכִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כה, ו): וְהֵמָּה בֹכִים, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא משֶׁה בּוֹכֶה אַתָּה, וְהֵיכָן חָכְמָתְךָ שֶׁאָמַרְתָּ דָּבָר וְהִבְלַעְתָּ לְקֹרַח, וְעַכְשָׁו אַתָּה בּוֹכֶה, וְרוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ צוֹוַחַת (תהלים עו, ו): אֶשְׁתּוֹלְלוּ אַבִּירֵי לֵב נָמוּ שְׁנָתָם. אָמַר לוֹ משֶׁה (משלי כא, ל): אֵין חָכְמָה וְאֵין תְּבוּנָה וְאֵין עֵצָה לְנֶגֶד ה', אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹדֵעַ אֲנִי מִי מוּכָן לְדָבָר זֶה, מַה כְּתִיב אַחֲרָיו (משלי כא, לא): סוּס מוּכָן לְיוֹם מִלְחָמָה וְלַה' הַתְּשׁוּעָה, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי דָּרַשׁ פִּנְחָס בְּעַצְמוֹ, וּמָה אִם הַסּוּס שֶׁהוּא נוֹתֵן נַפְשׁוֹ לְיוֹם מִלְחָמָה אֲפִלּוּ הוּא מֵת הוּא נוֹתֵן נַפְשׁוֹ עַל בְּעָלָיו, אֲנִי עַל קְדֻשַּׁת שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, (במדבר כה, ז): וַיַּרְא פִּינְחָס בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר, הִתְחִיל אוֹמֵר בֵּינוֹ לְבֵין עַצְמוֹ וּמָה אֶעֱשֶׂה אֵינִי יָכוֹל, שְׁנַיִם יְכוֹלִין לְאֶחָד, שֶׁמָּא אֶחָד יָכוֹל לִשְׁנַיִם, עַד שֶׁהוּא נוֹטֵל עֵצָה בֵּינוֹ לְבֵין עַצְמוֹ הַנֶּגֶף נוֹגֵף וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אוֹמֵר (משלי כד, י): הִתְרַפִּיתָ בְּיוֹם צָרָה, (משלי כד, יא): הַצֵּל לְקֻחִים לַמָּוֶת, (משלי כד, יב): כִּי תֹאמַר הֵן לֹא יָדַעְנוּ זֶה, אֲנִי מֵעִיד עָלֶיךָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי כד, יב): הֲלֹא תֹכֵן לִבּוֹת הוּא יָבִין. נִכְנַס פִּנְחָס וּמָצָא אוֹתָם שֶׁקְּבָעָם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא זֶה עִם זֶה וְהָיוּ כְּרוּכִין זֶה בָּזֶה וְלֹא הָיוּ יְכוֹלִין לְהִפָּרֵשׁ עַצְמָן, וְדָקַר שְׁנֵיהֶם דֶּרֶךְ דְּבִיקָתָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כה, ח): וַיִּדְקֹר אֶת שְׁנֵיהֶם. כֵּיוָן שֶׁיָּצָא נִכְנְסוּ שִׁבְטוֹ שֶׁל זִמְרִי, מֶה עָשָׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא נָגַף אֶת כֻּלָּן, כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה פִּנְחָס אֶת הַנֶּגֶף עָמַד וְהָיָה מִתְפַּלֵּל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קו, ל): וַיַּעֲמֹד פִּינְחָס וַיְפַלֵּל, מִיָּד קָרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה וְאָמַר לוֹ בּוֹא וְאוֹדִיעֲךָ מִי הֶעֱמִיד זַרְעוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כה, יא): פִּינְחָס בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר, לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר: נִבְחָר שֵׁם מֵעשֶׁר רָב. דָּבָר אַחֵר, נִבְחָר שְׁמוֹ שֶׁל מָרְדְּכַי מֵעָשְׁרוֹ שֶׁל הָמָן, אָמַר רַבִּי יֹאשְׁיָה מֶה עָשָׂה אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע, הוֹצִיא כָּל כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ וְנָתַן לַאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא חַיֶּיךָ: נִבְחָר מִכֶּסֶף וּמִזָּהָב חֵן טוֹב, נִבְחָר חִנָּהּ שֶׁל אֶסְתֵּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (אסתר ב, טו): וַתְּהִי אֶסְתֵּר נֹשֵׂאת חֵן. כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא הָרָשָׁע עִם הַמָּמוֹן אָמַר לוֹ הַמֶּלֶךְ (אסתר ג, יא): הַכֶּסֶף נָתוּן לָךְ, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כָּךְ אַתֶּם מוֹכְרִים שֶׁלִּי עַל שֶׁלִּי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כה, נה): כִּי לִי בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדִים, וּכְתִיב (חגי ב, ח): לִי הַכֶּסֶף וְהַזָּהָב, חַיֶּיךָ מַה שֶּׁאָמַרְתָּ: הַכֶּסֶף נָתוּן לָךְ וגו', כָּךְ (אסתר ח, א): בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא נָתַן הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ לְאֶסְתֵּר הַמַּלְכָּה אֶת בֵּית הָמָן.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “A name is preferable [nivḥar] to great wealth” (Proverbs 22:1). The name of Moses is preferable, as it is stated: “Were it not for Moses His chosen one [beḥiro]” (Psalms 106:23), and likewise it says: “I have known you by name” (Exodus 33:17) – to Koraḥ’s wealth, as it is stated: “Two hundred and fifty firepans” (Numbers 16:17).5The implication of the verse is that all two hundred fifty gold firepans were provided by Koraḥ himself, which is an indication of his great wealth (Maharzu). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: Because you have wealth you are haughty? The name of Moses is preferable to all your wealth of silver and gold. That is, “and good grace to silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
Another matter: The name of Pinḥas is preferable to the wealth of Zimri, who was the prince of the tribe of Simeon. What did Zimri do? In his regard, Solomon said: “A wicked man is insolent” (Proverbs 21:29). “And the upright, he discerns his way” (Proverbs 21:29) – this is Pinḥas. In what way was Zimri insolent? It was, that when Kozbi came, he sought to take her. She said to him: ‘I will not submit to you, as my father commanded me that I should submit only to Moses.’ He said to her: ‘I am greater than Moses, as he is from the third tribe6Levi, Jacob’s third-born and I am from the second tribe.7Simeon, Jacob’s second-born Do you want to know that I am greater than Moses? I will take you in his presence,’ as it is stated: “And, behold, a man from the children of Israel came and brought the Midianite woman near to his brethren, before the eyes of Moses” (Numbers 25:6), as he was flinging words against [Moses]. He said to him: ‘Moses, is this one forbidden or permitted?’ He said to him: ‘She is forbidden to you.’ Zimri said to him: ‘Are you the one who is most faithful to the Torah, such that the Holy One blessed be He takes pride in you and says: “Not so My servant Moses; [in all My house he is faithful]” (Numbers 12:7)? If you say that this one is forbidden, then the wife that you took is forbidden to you. This one is Midianite and that one is Midianite. This one is the most prominent of her patrilineal family, and your wife is the daughter of a priest.’ That is, “before the eyes of Moses.” Solomon cries out: “A wicked man is insolent.” When they saw him8When the Israelite elders saw Zimri’s insolent attack on Moses. they were weeping, as it is stated: “And they were weeping” (Numbers 25:6). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Moses, are you weeping? Where is your wisdom that you said something and you caused Koraḥ to be swallowed, and now you are weeping?’ The Divine Spirit calls out: “The stout-hearted ran rampant. They fell into a stupor” (Psalms 76:6). Moses said to Him: “There is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30).9Zimri’s attack is purely against the Lord. Therefore, human wisdom is irrelevant, and it is God who should punish Zimri (Yefe To’ar).
The Holy One blessed be He said: I know who is prepared for this matter. What is written thereafter? “A horse is ready for the day of battle, but salvation is for the Lord” (Proverbs 21:31). Rabbi Yosei said: Pinḥas himself expounded: If a horse that gives its life on a day of war, even if it dies, it gives its life for its owner, I, for the sanctity of the name of the Holy One blessed be He, all the more so. “Pinḥas son of Elazar saw” (Numbers 25:7) – he began saying to himself: What will I do? Two can prevail over one; can one, perhaps, prevail over two? While he was deliberating to himself, the plague was afflicting and the Holy One blessed be He was saying: “You faltered on a day of trouble” (Proverbs 24:10), “Deliver those taken to death” (Proverbs 24:11). “If you say: Behold, we did not know this” (Proverbs 24:12), I will attest in your regard, as it is stated: “Is He not the assessor of hearts, He understands” (Proverbs 24:12).10God said to Pinḥas: If you are concerned that people will suspect your motives, I will attest that your motives were pure (Rabbi David Luria).
Pinḥas entered, and he found that the Holy One blessed be He had secured them one to the other; they were intertwined one with the other, and they were unable to separate themselves. And he stabbed them in the place of their attachment, as it is stated: “He stabbed the two of them” (Numbers 25:8). When he exited, the tribe of Zimri entered. What did the Holy One blessed be He do? He smote them all with the plague. When Pinḥas saw the plague, he was standing and praying, as it is stated: “Pinḥas stood and he prayed” (Psalms 106:30). Immediately the Holy One blessed be He summoned Moses and said to him: ‘Come and I will inform you who preserved the descendants of Abraham,’ as it is stated: “Pinḥas son of Elazar [the son of Aaron the priest has turned My wrath away from the children of Israel]” (Numbers 25:11). That is why it is stated: “A name is preferable to great wealth” (Proverbs 22:1).
Another matter: The name of Mordekhai is preferable to the wealth of Haman. Rabbi Yoshiya said: What did that wicked one do? He took out all the silver and gold that he had and he gave it to Aḥashverosh. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘By your life, “good grace [ḥen] is preferable to silver and gold”’ (Proverbs 22:1). The grace of Esther, as it is stated: “Esther found favor [ḥen]” (Esther 2:15), is preferable. When the wicked one came with the money, the king said to him: “The money is given to you” (Esther 3:11). The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Is this how you are selling Mine for what is Mine?’ As it is stated: “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me” (Leviticus 25:55), and it is written: “The silver and the gold are Mine” (Haggai 2:8). ‘As you live, what you said: “The money is given to you…,” so, “on that day, King Aḥashverosh gave the house of Haman to Queen Esther”’ (Esther 8:1).
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב (משלי ד, ב): כִּי לֶקַח טוֹב נָתַתִּי לָכֶם, אָמַר רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה הַכֹּהֵן בְּרַבִּי, בְּנֹהַג שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אָדָם מוֹכֵר חֵפֶץ בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ הוּא עָצֵב עָלָיו, וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא נָתַן תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְשָׂמֵחַ, הֱוֵי: לֶקַח טוֹב. בְּנֹהַג שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אָדָם לוֹקֵחַ חֵפֶץ מֵצַר לְשָׁמְרָהּ, אֲבָל הַתּוֹרָה מְשַׁמֶּרֶת בְּעָלֶיהָ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ו, כב): בְּהִתְהַלֶּכְךָ תַּנְחֶה אֹתָךְ. בְּנֹהַג שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אָדָם לוֹקֵחַ חֵפֶץ מִן הַשּׁוּק שֶׁמָּא יָכוֹל לִקְנוֹת בְּעָלָיו, אֲבָל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא נָתַן תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְאוֹמֵר לָהֶם כִּבְיָכוֹל לִי אַתֶּם לוֹקְחִים, הֱוֵי: וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “For a good lesson [lekaḥ] I have given you (Proverbs 4:2). Rabbi Berekhya HaKohen ben Rabbi11When the term Rabbi is used without mention of which rabbi, it is generally a reference to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. That cannot be the case here, as Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi was not a priest. The meaning of “ben Rabbi [berabbi]” may be that Rabbi Berekhya was a student of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. Alternatively, the term berabbi may be used similarly to the term beribi, which means, “the esteemed.” said: The way of the world is that when a person sells an object from his house, he is sad over it. But the Holy One blessed be He gave the Torah to Israel and is joyful; that is, “a good acquisition [lekaḥ].” The way of the world is that when a person acquires an object he exerts himself to protect it, but the Torah protects its owners, as it is stated: “When you walk it will guide you; [when you lie down, it will protect you]” (Proverbs 6:22). The way of the world is that when a person acquires an object from the marketplace, can he perhaps acquire its owner? But the Holy One blessed be He gave the Torah to Israel and says to them, as it were: It is I that you are acquiring. That is, “they shall take Me a gift.”
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (דברים לג, ד): תּוֹרָה צִוָּה לָנוּ משֶׁה, דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי שִׂמְלָאי תרי"ג מִצְווֹת נִתְּנוּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַל יְדֵי משֶׁה, שֶׁכֵּן מִנְיַן תּוֹרָה, וְאִם תֹּאמַר אֵינָן אֶלָּא תרי"א וּשְׁתַּיִם הֵיכָן הֵם, אֶלָא אָמְרֵי רַבָּנָן אָנֹכִי וְלֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ, מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה שְׁמָעוּם, וְתרי"א אָמַר לָהֶם משֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: תּוֹרָה צִוָּה לָנוּ משֶׁה מוֹרָשָׁה וגו', אַל תִּקְרֵי מוֹרָשָׁה אֶלָא יְרֻשָּׁה, יְרֻשָּׁה הִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְעוֹלָם, מָשָׁל לְבֶן מְלָכִים שֶׁנִּשְׁבָּה כְּשֶׁהוּא קָטָן לִמְדִינַת הַיָּם, אֲפִלּוּ לְאַחַר כַּמָּה שָׁנִים אֵינוֹ בּוֹשׁ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר לִירֻשַּׁת אֲבוֹתַי אֲנִי חוֹזֵר, כָּךְ תַּלְמִיד חָכָם שֶׁהוּא פּוֹרֵשׁ מִן הַתּוֹרָה וְהָלַךְ וְהִתְעַסֵּק בִּדְבָרִים אֲחֵרִים, אֲפִלּוּ לְאַחַר כַּמָּה שָׁנִים הוּא מְבַקֵּשׁ לַחֲזֹר אֵינוֹ בּוֹשׁ, מִפְנֵי שֶׁאוֹמֵר לִירוּשַׁת אֲבוֹתַי אֲנִי חוֹזֵר. דָּבָר אַחֵר, מוֹרָשָׁה, אַל תְּהִי קוֹרֵא מוֹרָשָׁה אֶלָּא מְאֹרָסָה, מָה חָתָן זֶה כָּל זְמַן שֶׁלֹא נָשָׂא אֲרוּסָתוֹ הוּא הֲוָה פְּרָאדוּרָן לְבֵית חָמִיו, מִשֶּׁנְּשָׂאָהּ הֲרֵי אָבִיהָ בָּא אֶצְלָהּ. כָּךְ עַד שֶׁלֹא נִתְּנָה תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (שמות יט, ג): וּמשֶׁה עָלָה אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים, מִשֶּׁנִּתְּנָה תּוֹרָה אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה (שמות כה, ח): וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם. דָּבָר אַחֵר, אַל תְּהִי קוֹרֵא מוֹרָשָׁה אֶלָּא מְאֹרָסָה, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהַתּוֹרָה אֲרוּסָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (הושע ב, כא): וְאֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ לִי לְעוֹלָם, וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁהוּא כְּאֵשֶׁת אִישׁ לְעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ו, כז כט): הֲיַחְתֶּה אִישׁ אֵשׁ בְּחֵיקוֹ וּבְגָדָיו לֹא תִשָֹּׂרַפְנָה, אִם יְהַלֵּךְ אִישׁ עַל הַגֶּחָלִים וְרַגְלָיו לֹא תִכָּוֶינָה, כֵּן הַבָּא אֶל אֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “Moses commanded us the Torah” (Deuteronomy 33:4). Rabbi Simlai expounded: Six hundred and thirteen mitzvot were given to Israel through Moses, as that is the numerical value of Torah.12Tav is four hundred, vav is six, resh is two hundred, and heh is five, for a total of six hundred and eleven, as the midrash is about to note. If you say it is only six hundred and eleven, and where are the other two; the Rabbis say: “I am [the Lord your God]” (Exodus 20:2) and, “You shall have no [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3) they heard from the mouth of the Almighty, and Moses told them six hundred and eleven, as it is stated: “Moses commanded us the Torah, a heritage…” (Deuteronomy 33:4). Do not read “a heritage [morasha],” but an inheritance [yerusha]; it is an eternal inheritance for Israel. This is analogous to the son of kings who was taken captive overseas when he was young. Even after several years, he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors. So too, a Torah scholar who leaves the Torah and engages in other matters, even after several years, if he seeks to return he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors.
Another matter: “Heritage” – do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]. Just as a groom, as long as he has not married his betrothed he is a frequent visitor to his father-in-law’s house; once he marries her, her father comes to her. So too, until the Torah was given to Israel, “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3). Once the Torah was given, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
Another matter: Do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]; this teaches that the Torah is betrothed to Israel, as it is stated: “I will betroth you to Me forever” (Hosea 2:21). From where is it derived that it is like a married woman for the idolaters?13Since the Torah is compared to a woman who is betrothed to Israel, if other nations study it they are compared to one who commits adultery with a married woman. From where is it derived that they are punished as adulterers? As it is stated: “Can a man stoke fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? If a man walks on hot coals, will his feet not be scalded? So is one who consorts with another’s wife” (Proverbs 6:27–29).14The verse compares one who commits adultery to one who touches fire. Since Torah is compared to fire (see Jeremiah 23:29), the comparison indicates that non-Jews who engage in Torah study are considered as though they commit adultery (Midrash HaMevo’ar).
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה עַל עִסְקֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן, אָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם יְכוֹלִין הֵם יִשְׂרָאֵל לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֲפִלּוּ אֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל יָכוֹל לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כה, ב): מֵאֵת כָּל אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּוֹ. אָמְרוּ רַבָּנָן, אַף בַּמָּן שֶׁהָיָה יוֹרֵד לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הָיוּ יוֹרְדוֹת בּוֹ אֲבָנִים טוֹבוֹת וּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹת, וְהָיוּ הַגְּדוֹלִים שֶׁבָּהֶן בָּאִין וּמְלַקְּטִים אוֹתָן וְהָיוּ גּוֹנְזִין אוֹתָן, תֵּדַע שֶׁכֵּן הוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות לו, ג): וְהֵם הֵבִיאוּ אֵלָיו עוֹד נְדָבָה בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר, וְכִי בַּבֹּקֶר הָיוּ מְבִיאִין בַּצָּהֳרַיִם לֹא הָיוּ מְבִיאִים, אֶלָּא מִמַּה שֶּׁהָיָה הַמָּן מוֹרִיד לָהֶם הֵבִיאוּ, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (שמות לה, כז): וְהַנְּשִׂאִם הֵבִיאוּ, (שמות כה, ג): וְזֹאת הַתְּרוּמָה, אָמַר רַבִּי טַבְיוֹמֵי בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהִגִּיעַ זְמַנּוֹ שֶׁל יַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ לִפָּטֵר מִן הָעוֹלָם, קָרָא לְבָנָיו, אָמַר לָהֶם הֱיוּ יוֹדְעִין שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עָתִיד לוֹמַר לִבְנֵיכֶם לַעֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁכָּן, אֶלָּא יִהְיוּ כָּל צְרָכָיו מוּכָנִים בְּיֶדְכֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית מח, כא): וְהָיָה אֱלֹהִים עִמָּכֶם, וְכִי תַעֲלֶה עַל דַּעְתְּךָ כְּשֶׁהָיָה יַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ חַי לֹא הָיָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִם בָּנָיו, אֶלָּא כָּךְ אָמַר לָהֶם עָתִיד הוּא לוֹמַר לָכֶם (שמות כה, ח): וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ, וְהוּא יוֹרֵד וּמַשְׁרֶה שְׁכִינָתוֹ בְּתוֹכְכֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם. וְיֵשׁ מֵהֶם שֶׁהִתְקִינוּ עַצְמָן לַדְּבָרִים, וְיֵשׁ מֵהֶן שֶׁשָּׁכְחוּ, וּכְשֶׁבָּא משֶׁה וְעָשׂוּ הַמִּשְׁכָּן, יֵשׁ מֵהֶם שֶׁהֵבִיאוּ מֵעַצְמָן, וְיֵשׁ מֵהֶם שֶׁלֹא הֵבִיאוּ אֶלָּא מִמַּה שֶׁהָיָה מֻנָּח בְּיָדוֹ, שֶׁכֵּן הוּא אוֹמֵר (שמות לה, כג): וְכָל אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר נִמְצָא אִתּוֹ תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן, וְאוֹמֵר (שמות לה, כד): וְכָל אֲשֶׁר נִמְצָא אִתּוֹ עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – when the Holy One blessed be He told Moses about the matters pertaining to the Tabernacle, he said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, is Israel capable of crafting it?’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Even one member of Israel is capable of crafting it,’ as it is stated: “From each man whose heart moves him” (Exodus 25:2). The Rabbis said: Jewels and pearls would fall amidst the manna that was falling for Israel, and the prominent among them would come, gather them, and store them. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “They brought him more gifts morning after morning” (Exodus 36:3). Did they bring in the morning, but in the afternoon they did not bring? It is rather that they brought from what the manna would bring down for them. Likewise, it says: “The princes [nesiim]15Another meaning of the word nesiim is clouds (see Yoma 75b). Thus, the implication is that these stones fell from the clouds along with the manna. brought [the onyx stones and the stones for setting]” (Exodus 35:27).
“This is the gift that you shall collect from them: gold, silver, and bronze” (Exodus 25:3)
“This is the gift” (Exodus 25:3) – Rabbi Tavyomei said: When the time arrived for Jacob our patriarch to depart from the world, he called his sons and said to them: ‘Know that the Holy One blessed be He is destined to say to your descendants to craft a Tabernacle; however, all its needs must be ready in their possession,’ as it is stated: “And God will be with you” (Genesis 48:21). Does it enter your mind that when Jacob our patriarch was alive the Holy One blessed be He was not with his sons? Rather, so he said to them: ‘He is destined to say to you: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me” (Exodus 25:8), and He will descend and rest His presence in your midst, as it is stated: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).’ Some prepared items for themselves and some forgot. When Moses came and they crafted the Tabernacle, some brought from their own, and some brought only from what was already in their possession, as it says: “And every man with whom was found sky-blue, purple, [and scarlet wool” (Exodus 35:23), and it says: “And every man with whom acacia wood was found” (Exodus 35:24).16The verses stress regarding these items that the individuals with whom they were found brought them, in order to indicate that they had stored these items in advance in preparation for the building of the Tabernacle.