Hesitant Generosity?

 “Sure, I’d like to help.  Let me know after you have run your campaign or project, and what you still need, and then I’ll step in.”  I think that it is very common for people involved in planning and running community programs to hear this.  People like to be a “knight in shining armor” and to come in and save the day when there is something missing.  It sounds wonderful, but is it the right thing to do?  Is that better than the person who steps up to help as soon as they see a need, not knowing how crucial their support will be and how many others are willing to help?

Well the leaders of our people, in the early days of the formation of the nation, took the first approach.  Hashem told Moshe to build a sanctuary in the desert, and to have all the people contribute the materials necessary.  As related in this week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, the leaders of the tribes, holy people wanting to behave like leaders, decided to allow the people to bring what they could and then fill in whatever was missing.  Little did they know that everything would be provided, and the only thing that they were able to contribute was precious stones and a few other items.  This was much less than what they had intended.

They learned their lesson, Rashi tells us, and when the time came to actually dedicate the sanctuary after it was built, they were the first to bring offerings.  This is a lesson in generosity and kindness for each of us.  It happens often that we are approached to help someone or to support a community project, and we tend to want to see who else will participate and how it goes before committing.  But there is something special about the person who steps forward in the beginning to start things going.  This way, in addition to being a catalyst for something good, we know that we won’t miss the opportunity to do a Mitzvah.

Oh, and about the war.  If I need to address it, I will just say that I have no idea what on earth is going on.  One thing is certain – this is all part of the lead up to the coming of Moshiach.  Our Sages taught that if you see nations fighting with each other, prepare for the redemption.  This war is so beyond logic that I don’t see any other explanation.  Let’s pray for our brothers and sisters, and all people, to be spared from death and destruction, and may peace come very quickly.