The Women Who Carried Us
This week’s parsha introduces what is arguably the first recorded fundraising campaign in Jewish history:
Moses said to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel: This is the word that G-d has commanded, saying: Take from yourselves a portion for G-d… everyone whose heart motivates him shall bring it… (Ex. 35:4–5)
As the donations began pouring in, the Torah adds what seems like an unnecessary detail:
The men came along with the women, all whose hearts inspired them… (Ex. 35:22)
It does not say “the men and the women.” Instead, the wording highlights that the men came with the women — almost as if the men wouldn’t have shown up on their own. Why this peculiar phrasing?
To understand this, we need to revisit the episode of the Golden Calf. When donations were requested for that disgraceful endeavor, the men gave eagerly — too eagerly. The women, however, refused to participate. The men were so fanatical about their contributions that, when the women withheld their jewelry, the men forcefully took it and offered it anyway.
After that tragedy and much pleading by Moses, G-d forgave the people and gave them a new mission: build the Mishkan (Tabernacle), a dwelling place for the Divine Presence. Grateful for the chance at redemption, the people gave with such enthusiasm that Moses had to tell them to stop (Exodus 36:6)
But the men couldn’t forget their role in the Golden Calf. Their earlier zealousness for the wrong cause now made them hesitant. How could they rush forward with donations for the Mishkan just months after throwing themselves into idol worship? Fearing that their gifts might not be accepted, the men brought their donations alongside the women.
Why? Because the women had stayed loyal. They had refused to contribute to the Golden Calf and maintained their connection to G-d. The men understood that pairing their gifts with those of the women — whose hands were clean — would give their own contributions the merit needed for acceptance.
A few chapters later, we read about the construction of the Kiyor, the washbasin used by the Kohanim—priests. The material for the Kiyor came from copper mirrors donated — once again — by the women. Initially, Moses rejected these gifts, disturbed by the fact that the mirrors had been used to stir sensual desires.
While in Egypt, the women used these mirrors to beautify themselves and arouse their exhausted, demoralized husbands. Despite the men’s physical and emotional depletion, the women brought them food, drink, and hope. They used these mirrors to reconnect, leading to the birth of many children — the future of the Jewish people.
Moses saw the sensual association and hesitated. But G-d corrected him: “Accept them, for they are dearer to Me than anything else. Through these, the Jewish nation continued.”
Once again, it was the women — practical, clear-headed, and focused — who ensured the survival of the nation. While the men despaired, the women understood what needed to be done — and did it.
The Talmud teaches: In the merit of the righteous women, we were redeemed from Egypt. (Sotah 11b). People often ask: What is the Torah’s view of women? These two episodes answer that beautifully. Women are builders. They lead by example. Even when the men faltered, the women remained steady, focused on the future.
King Solomon summed it up: The wisdom of women builds the home. The Jewish people were redeemed because of women. We have survived because of them. What is their role? To continue walking the path paved by their righteous, clever, and practical ancestors — and to keep building the Jewish nation.
Good Shabbos
(Sources: Rashi on Ex. 38:8, explained by Maskil l’Dovid; Rav S.R. Hirsch)