The Superior Quality of the Jewish Woman

Regarding the general offerings for the construction of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, the Torah tells us in Vayakhel that “any person inclined to give an offering” could do so. This included both men and women. In fact, the Torah writes that “the men accompanied the women,” meaning that, in giving, the men were subservient to the women.

This being so, why is it that in the earlier portion of Terumah, the Torah says: “from any man whose heart moves him to give” - an expression that seems to exclude women?

One of the aspects of the relationship between men and women is that of giver and recipient. This is why the union between G-d and the Jewish people is likened to that between groom and bride.

This aspect filters down to physical men and women, as well, and is observed within the Jewish people; women are more spiritually receptive than men. We therefore observe that women need not be exhorted as often as men regarding their observance of Judaism, the reason being that their faith is instinctively more revealed and their fear and awe of G-d is greater than men’s.

This difference came into play regarding the gifts for the Mishkan: Jewish women excelled in the offerings that had no established criteria as to amount, obligation, etc. These gifts came strictly because the donors were moved to give. In this aspect, the women were superior.

The earlier portion of Terumah, however, concentrates on the two offerings which the Jews were obliged to bring because G-d had so commanded. That was not the place to emphasize the unique qualities of women concerning free-will gifts.

It is specifically in the portion of Vayakhel, where the Torah emphasizes the eagerness with which the Jews gave their voluntary gifts, that it is most apt to stress the superior quality of the Jewish women.

May we merit very soon to have the 3rd Beit Hamikdash with Moshiach now!

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighting time (NYC): 6:51 PM