Why Command?

The beginning of this week's parasha presents and interesting juxtaposition with the beginning of last week's parasha. The parasha begins with the words "Ve'ata t'tzaveh et Bnai Yisrael v'yikchu eilecha..." (And you will command Bnai Yisrael and they will take for you...) Last week's parasha began as follows: "Daber el Bnai Yisrael, v'yikchu li trumah" (Speak to Bnai Yisrael and they will take for Me a contribution.) Last week's parasha talks about gathering supplies for and the dimensions of the Mishkan; this week's focuses on the priestly vessels and garments. Last week's parasha focused on the general population, while this week's focuses on the Kohanim. Therefore, why does this week's parasha begin with commanding and last week's begins with speaking and volunteering? Shouldn't it be the opposite? Wouldn't you think that it is Bnai Yisrael that have to be commanded to give a contribution from their gold, silver, copper mirror, linens, silks and other goods, as well as their skills? They had just left Mitzrayim and faced an uncertain future; wouldn't they want to hold onto whatever commodities they now possessed? Yet we are told that they gave willingly; in fact, Moshe had to tell them to stop at one point. On the other hand, wouldn't you think that anything related to the kohanim and to the avodah would involve love and fervor? And even though the first pasuk is directed at Bnai Yisrael and not Aharon, it still sets a tone for the whole parasha. Furthermore, a few p'sukim later Hashem says "hakreiv et Aharon..." ("Bring Aharon near..") The word "hakreiv" is in in hiphil--the causative form. It implies that Moshe had to do something to Aharon to cause Aharon to come near. Wouldn't you think that Aharon, who is referred to a "rodeif shalom" (one who pursued peace) would be running to Moshe, pursuing his mission to be the holiest servant of Hashem and the leader of the avodat hamishkan?

There is a concept in the Gemara "gadol ha'm'tzuveh v'oseh mi'she'eino m'tzuveh v'oseh" (the one who is commanded and does is greater than the one who is not commanded and does.) This is a concept that I have always pondered. Wouldn't you think that the one who volunteers is greater? The one who gives of her time. money, talent, skill WITHOUT being asked? Isn't altruism one of the greatest traits that a person can possess? Yet this concept is explained as follows: when one is commanded to do something, there is an automatic yeitzer to NOT do what has been asked. Being commanded violates our ultimate drive for control and our belief that we are each the masters of our destiny. So if Hashem commands something, and we STILL fulfill the command, we are both doing His will and pushing our own yeitzer away. It is a double act.

So who was greater--the Kohanim or Bnai Yisrael? Is a gift greater than a tax? Food for thought: tzedakah is actually a mitzvah. G'millut chasadim is rewarded. Are we really altruistic?

Shabbat Shalom

Mrs. Herzog