Parsha

The old shul had burned down. After the fire, the Rabbi appealed to the community for help to build a new one. Motzie Shabbos, everyone lined up to lend a hand; some pledged money, others pledged time. The only person who did not make a pledge was Reb Avner Moskowitz, the richest man in town.

When the Rabbi later asked if everything was alright, Reb Avner explained: “I know a project of this size will eventually stall for lack of funding. I told my accountant that when the community runs out of money, I will underwrite whatever it takes to complete the building.”

To everyone’s surprise, the shul was completed by the High Holidays without ever running out of funds. When Reb Avner offered his contribution then, the Rabbi replied, “We have completed the shul without your help. We don’t need it now.”

In this week’s parsha, the leaders (Nesi’im) made the same mistake. They waited to see what the community would bring, planning to fill the gap. Because they delayed, their title is written in the Torah without a ‘yud’ (נשיאם)—a Divine rebuke for not participating immediately in the work of the tzibur.

The Merit of Oholiav

Why was Oholiav, from the "lowly" tribe of Dan, merited to work alongside Bezalel from the noble tribe of Judah? Rashi explains that Hashem placed them on the same level to confirm that “He regardeth not the rich more than the poor” (Job 34:19).

Oholiav overcame three significant obstacles:

• Position: His tribe was last in line during travel.
• Symbolism: The flag of Dan bore a snake, often associated with the Satan.
• Lineage: His tribe descended from a maidservant, leading others to potentially look down on them.

The Power of "The Last in Line"

The tribe of Dan was stationed at the rear specifically to gather those who fell behind—the "wanderers" or those who "fell off the derech." Their position allowed them to perform the highest level of kiruv, saving souls and encouraging them to stay under the Clouds of Protection.

The snake on their flag symbolized that while life is a struggle against the Yetzer Hara, it is a struggle that can be overcome. Oholiav did not seek to prove his "yichus"; he simply searched for the truth.

Good Shabbos!