In the current political climate we hear a fortune about spending fortunes. There’s DOGE, focused on cutting costs in the federal government. There’s Governor Desantis’ visit to Idaho to promote a balanced budget. There’s members of Congress giving themselves a raise. And, much more.
When it comes to public dollars – everyone has an opinion.
*
This week’s Parsha, Pekudei, opens with the call for an audit. The Jews demanded an accounting of all the donations they had given to construct the Mishkan. Moshe complied, with an independent audit, as the Torah states:
“These are the numbers of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of the Testimony, which were counted at Moshe’s command; this was the work of the Levites under the direction of Itamar, the son of Aharon the Kohen.”
Ironically, in the parsha of Ki Tisa, we also find donations of gold. It was not for the House of G-d, but for the very opposite – idolatry. Let’s compare the two: For the Mishkan, a large edifice with many sacred vessels, the Jewish people pressed for careful review. But when they contributed massive sums of gold and received in return but one golden calf – there was no call for an accounting!
Why did our ancestors only demand accountability for G-d’s dwelling place, but not for the Golden Calf?
*
Herein lies the hypocrisy to which we all are susceptible. When contributing to holiness, we – perhaps justly – count every penny. But when the money is spent on frivolity or sin – no holds barred. The Jews were correct in demanding accountability – because not one less dollar than available should go to holy and communal needs.
How many of us are careful about spending “just the right amount” to attend a Pesach Seder, purchase a mezuzah or provide Jewish education to our children? But when it’s time for the family vacation or “treating myself out,” suddenly the moral outrage over price gouging and accountability disappears.
Maybe our political debate can teach us a powerful lesson, after all. Human nature mandates that we give an ear.
When it comes to building a dwelling place for G-d – in our own lives, families, and communities – we should calculate how much we can afford – and then spend a little extra.