Terumah
In this week’s parsha Hashem tells Moshe to make the Mishkan. By all the kailim the singular lashon of “v’asisa” is used, while by the aron it says “v’asu”, plural. The Chofetz Chaim asks: why is this?
There were three kailim in the Mishkan that had a “zair”, a crown: the aron, shulchan, and mizbayach. The aron symbolized keser Torah, as the passuk says, “and you shall put into the aron, the aidus,” meaning Torah. The shulchan symbolized keser melucha, as Rashi explains: it was as shulchan melachim, a symbol of richness and gedulah. The mizbayach symbolized keser kehuna, as the Kohanim did the avodah on the mizbayach every day. Rashi and Rabeinu Yona explain that keser Torah is different from the other two crowns. The crown of kehuna was only for Aharon’s house, and keser malchus was only for Dovid’s house. The crown of Torah, however, is open and available for anyone who wants to come and be zoche. Rashi brings the Gemara which says “yagata umatzata”- if you toil you will find!
Also, we find that in the order of the kailim, the aron is mentioned in the Torah first. The aron was in the kodesh hakodoshim while the other kailim were in the kodesh. It is closest to the shechina in the Mishkan. From here we see that keser Torah is the most important.
The Chofetz Chaim brings Hashem commanded everyone to be part of the aron so no one should claim “I gave a lot, therefore I have a larger share in Torah than you.” Torah is the acquisition of all. Even one who is unable to learn, can be included in the aron by supporting those who learn Torah. This is as the passuk says כבד את ה’ מהונך. Rashi explains מחוננך, everything Hashem gives a person, whether wisdom or assets, is meant to be used to honor Hashem.
Therefore, it says “v’asisa” by the shulchan and mizbayach, because only certain people can acquire those kesarim. However, by the making of the aron the lashon is plural, symbolizing that all have the opportunity and are meant to acquire this keser!
May we all be zoche to acquire for ourselves the keser Torah!
