(from Sforno on Shemot)
Counting the Gold of the Mishkan
The Torah counts all of the precious metals that went into the building of the Mishkan, listing exactly how much gold, silver, and copper was used. The Sforno makes a powerful observation.
The amount of precious metals that went into the Mishkan pales in comparison to the wealth that went into the First Temple (see Melakhim I, 6:20-35 and 7:48-50). The grandeur of the First Temple was itself eclipsed by the lavish Second Temple built by Herod.
Ironically, there was an inverse relationship between the amount of gold, silver, and copper that went into each of the Temples and the Divine Presence that was revealed in each. In the Mishkan, the most humble of the three, the Glory of G-d appeared more constantly than in Shlomo’s Temple. In the Second Temple the Divine Presence was drastically reduced, only a hint of the First.
This teaches a powerful lesson, says the Sforno. “The amount of wealth and the size of the building do not determine whether the Divine Presence will rest within Israel. G-d desires the souls and actions of those who are in awe of Him and will dwell in their midst.”
[prepared by Eliezer Kwass]
