Exodus 36:6 - Enough generosity—stop donating!

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Hebrew Text

וַיְצַו מֹשֶׁה וַיַּעֲבִירוּ קוֹל בַּמַּחֲנֶה לֵאמֹר אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה אַל־יַעֲשׂוּ־עוֹד מְלָאכָה לִתְרוּמַת הַקֹּדֶשׁ וַיִּכָּלֵא הָעָם מֵהָבִיא׃

English Translation

And Moshe gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp saying, Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

Transliteration

Vayetzav Moshe vaya'aviru kol bamahane leimor ish ve'isha al ya'asu-od melacha l'terumat hakodesh vayikale ha'am mehavi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְצַ֣ו מֹשֶׁ֗ה וַיַּעֲבִ֨ירוּ ק֥וֹל בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה֮ לֵאמֹר֒ אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֗ה אַל־יַעֲשׂוּ־ע֛וֹד מְלָאכָ֖ה לִתְרוּמַ֣ת הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וַיִּכָּלֵ֥א הָעָ֖ם מֵהָבִֽיא׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Shemot 36:6) appears during the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), when Bnei Yisrael were contributing materials for its construction. The people had brought so much that Moshe had to command them to stop bringing additional donations.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Shemot 36:6) explains that the phrase "וַיִּכָּלֵא הָעָם מֵהָבִיא" ("the people were restrained from bringing") indicates that the people were eager to continue contributing, but Moshe had to actively restrain them because they had already brought more than enough for the Mishkan's needs.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Pekudei 9) highlights the people's enthusiasm, stating that their generosity was so overwhelming that the craftsmen reported to Moshe that they had no need for further materials.
The Midrash also contrasts this episode with the later sin of the Golden Calf, demonstrating how the same people who were so devoted to the Mishkan could later falter.

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchos Beis HaBechira 1:12) derives from this verse that once the necessary materials for a holy project (like the Mishkan or Beis HaMikdash) have been collected, further contributions should not be accepted, as this could lead to misuse or disrespect of sanctified items.

Spiritual Lessons

The Kli Yakar (Shemot 36:6) notes that the people's restraint demonstrated their pure intentions - they gave not for personal recognition, but solely for the sake of the Mishkan.
This teaches that in matters of kedusha (holiness), one must follow the guidance of Torah leaders, even when limiting one's natural enthusiasm for mitzvos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 36:6 mean when it says the people were 'restrained from bringing' offerings?
A: This verse means that the Israelites had donated so generously for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) that there was more than enough materials. Moshe had to stop them from bringing additional donations because the craftsmen already had sufficient supplies (Rashi on Exodus 36:6).

Q: Why was it important that Moshe stopped the people from bringing more donations?
A: It was important because it showed the people's extraordinary enthusiasm for building the Mishkan. The Torah teaches us that when it comes to mitzvot, we should give generously, but also know when enough has been given (Midrash Tanchuma, Pekudei 4). This also prevented waste of sacred materials.

Q: What lesson can we learn today from Exodus 36:6?
A: We learn two important lessons: 1) We should be eager and generous when supporting holy causes, just as the Israelites were. 2) We must also respect boundaries and follow the guidance of our leaders, as the people did when Moshe instructed them to stop bringing donations (Rambam, Hilchot Matnot Aniyim 8:10-12).

Q: Why does the verse specifically mention both men and women ('neither man nor woman')?
A: The Torah emphasizes that both men and women participated equally in donating to the Mishkan. This shows the importance of women's contributions to holy work and teaches that spiritual matters involve the entire Jewish people (Shemot Rabbah 35:5).

Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of 'dayenu' (it would have been enough)?
A: Just as we say 'dayenu' at Passover about G-d's gifts, here we see the people gave 'dayenu' - more than enough. This teaches us to be satisfied when we've sufficiently fulfilled a mitzvah, and not to overdo it when leaders tell us the need has been met (Talmud, Megillah 27b discusses limits in holy matters).