NAALEHCOM. and YU TORAH Enough Or Extra Parshat Vayakhel 5774 By: Mrs. Shira Smiles

After devoting several parshiot to instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, the Mishkan, and its vessels and implements, the Torah now concludes the instructions and the work itself begins. Bnei Yisroel had been instructed to donate all the materials according to the guidance of their hearts, and now there appears to be a surfeit of material, and the artisans tell Moshe, “The people are bringing more than enough for the labor and the work that Hashem has commanded to perform.” Moshe then commands, “ ‘Man and woman shall not do more work toward the gift for the Sanctuary!’ And the people were restrained from bringing.” This passage raises three related questions. First, if the people were motivated to bring, why stop them? Couldn’t the remaining materials be used for repairs or enhancement of the Sanctuary? Then, if there was enough material, how could there also be extra, more than enough? Finally, as it appears there indeed was more than enough, what did they do with the extra materials? click here for Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein.