"Take" vs. "Give": A Linguistic Shift
The Torah portion opens with the command: "Veyikchu li trumah"—"Let them take for Me a gift." Typically, when discussing charity or contributions, one would expect the word "give." The use of "take" suggests a two-fold process of transformation:
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The Personal Act: By choosing to spend resources on a holy cause rather than a mundane one (like food or entertainment), a person "takes" that physical matter out of its ordinary context.
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The Divine Elevation: The phrase "Veyikchu li" (Take to Me) implies bringing that contribution up to a level of holiness. It transforms a physical object into a vehicle for Hashem.
Negative Discipline vs. Positive Action
The class distinguishes between two aspects of spiritual life:
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Avoiding the Negative: Staying away from bad habits like lying or jealousy. In this realm, the primary goal is simply the act of avoidance to prevent being "dragged down."
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Positive Mitzvos: This requires active intention (kavana). When we perform a Mitzvah with fervor, we are not just doing a deed; we are elevating our physical existence to connect with the Creator.
"You Take Me": Capturing the Infinite
A deeper Hasidic interpretation of "Veyikchu li" is "Veyikchu osi"—"You take Me." * The Home for God: While it seems impossible to confine an infinite God within a physical Mishkan, the sanctuary represents God’s desire to have a "home" in our world.