Diametrically Different Donations This was so for all mentioned items, except one. Rashi tells us that there was no minimum or maximum (nor even "suggested donation") amounts for any of the materials... except for silver. Silver was obligatory (for males between 20 and 60 years of age), not voluntary. An amount was specified - a half silver-shekel. No one was to give more or less than the half-shekel. (The mitzva of half-shekel - which was the Maftir this past Shabbat and which we will read about in another couple of weeks was voluntary for women and children. Possibly this first time, it was only for those obligated.) Although the half-shekel "tax" was used to count the men of military age, its primary function the first time was to provide the silver needed for the Mishkan. (The half-shekel fund in the Beit HaMikdash - past and future - was used to purchase communal offerings and pay for many communal needs - daily korbanot, musafim of Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, and Yom Tov, the Lechem HaPanim... plus the salt for ALL korbanot, public and private. So too, the wood for the Mizbei'ach. And more.) The main use of silver was for the foundation sockets that supported the wall-boards of the Mishkan. Think about this: Which is more even - people donating different amounts based on their financial status, or everyone giving the exact same amount? There seems to be a logic to each side being the fair one. The "correct" answer is probably both. We need both. And we have both. All the materials were given according to a person's heart. Some gave more than others, some less. And that's okay usually. But sometimes, everyone has to give the same amount. A rich person shall not give more, nor a poor person less. And remember what the silver was used for - The FOUNDATION. Everything else was built up from it. But the basis, the foundation - for that it was vital that each share was the same as the others. And what was the amount of that "everyone the same" donation? Half of a shekel. Half. That's a part of something. It isn't a whole. That reminds us that each person is a part of the Klal, the whole. He or she is an individual, but also a part of the whole. An equal part of the whole. See the Menora? I gave a lot of gold for it. Maybe so, but see the foundation of the Mishkan - you and I and everyone else have an equal share in that. Both types of donations are needed; both are T'RUMA. Side point: Maybe a good analogy, maybe not. You decide. Take a look at the US Congress. Each state has two senators, regardless of population. The more populous states shall not add, nor shall the less populous states subtract from the two senators. On the other hand, the House of Representatives is based on the relative populations of the states. There are eight states with one rep each and California has 53. Which is fairer representa- tion - Senate of the House? It depends from what perspective. Both exist. [The Parshat T'ruma Homepage]
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