The Torah commands:“וְיִקְחוּ־לִי תְּרוּמָה” – “And they shall take for Me a donation.” (Shemot 25:2) Am Yisrael had just witnessed the greatest miracles in history—Yetziat Mitzrayim, Kriyat Yam Suf, and Matan Torah. They stood at the peak of spiritual elevation. And now, Hashem asks them to give. But not just gold and silver—something far greater.…
In Parshat Yitro, just before Matan Torah, the Torah describes Bnei Yisrael’s encampment at Har Sinai: “וַיִּחַן שָׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל נֶגֶד הָהָר” – “And Israel encamped there opposite the mountain.” (Shemot 19:2) Rashi famously points out the unusual singular form of “וַיִּחַן” (they encamped), rather than the expected plural, explaining that Bnei Yisrael were united “כְּאִישׁ…