Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes preparations for this monumental task.
It all starts with a conversation – a divine conversation, that is. When God tells Moses about the plans for the Tabernacle, Moses expresses a perfectly reasonable concern: “Master of the universe, is Israel capable of crafting it?” God’s response? A confident reassurance: "Even one member of Israel is capable of crafting it," as the verse says, "From each man whose heart moves him" (Exodus 25:2).
But where did they get all the gold, silver, and precious stones? That’s where things get really interesting. The Rabbis suggest a truly wondrous image: jewels and pearls falling with the manna, the miraculous food that sustained the Israelites in the desert! The wealthy among them would gather these treasures and store them away. Proof of this? The verse stating "They brought him more gifts morning after morning" (Exodus 36:3). Were they only bringing gifts in the morning? Of course not! The implication is that they were bringing gifts that came down with the morning manna. Even the nesiim, the princes (or, according to another interpretation, clouds!), brought onyx stones and other precious gems (Exodus 35:27) – perhaps suggesting these stones, too, fell from the sky.
But the story goes back even further, all the way to Jacob on his deathbed. Rabbi Tavyomei tells us that Jacob gathered his sons and told them that God would one day command their descendants to build a Tabernacle. But here’s the kicker: all the necessary materials had to be ready and waiting in their possession! As Jacob says in Genesis 48:21, "And God will be with you." Now, did God only start being with them when Jacob was dying? No! Rather, Jacob was saying that God would eventually tell them to "craft a Sanctuary for Me" (Exodus 25:8), and He would descend and rest His presence in their midst, fulfilling the promise: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
So, some of Jacob's sons prepared items in advance, while others, well, they forgot. When Moses finally arrived and the call went out to build the Tabernacle, some Israelites brought materials they already owned, while others contributed from this miraculous bounty they'd been receiving. That's why the Torah emphasizes "every man with whom was found sky-blue, purple, and scarlet wool" (Exodus 35:23) and "every man with whom acacia wood was found" (Exodus 35:24). The text stresses that individuals with whom these items were found brought them, indicating they had stored these treasures in advance, in preparation for this very moment.
It's a fascinating picture, isn't it? A blend of divine provision, ancestral foresight, and individual initiative. It's not just about building a physical structure, but about a collective effort, a communal participation in creating a space for the Divine presence. It makes you wonder, what "materials" are we holding onto, perhaps without even realizing it, that might be needed for a future sacred purpose? What gifts, both literal and metaphorical, are waiting to be offered?