They say it is the thought that counts. Generally, we understand this to mean that I had good intentions even though things didn’t work out as planned so don’t hold it against me that something negative happened to you. I meant well. In this week’s Torah reading Parshat Terumah, we learn a different understanding of the power of your thoughts. Your thoughts can have a profound impact on you. 

The Parsha begins with Hashem giving Moshe instructions for the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and its vessels. For each one of the vessels the Torah uses the word ועשית – and you shall make – referring to Moshe himself. Except for the instructions for the Ark. There the Torah says ועשו  – and they shall make – referring to the children of Israel. Why is the instruction for the Ark different than for the rest of the vessels? Ramban (Nachmanides) quotes a Midrash that asks this question and responds in the name of Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Shalom that the Ark represented Torah, and Hashem wanted everyone to have a share in Torah. By everyone participating in the building of the Ark every individual would merit a share in Torah. The Ramban continues that there were multiple ways to participate. You could either donate some gold for the Ark, help Betzalel in some small way, or you could simply direct your thoughts to intend to be involved in the process. Any one of these methods of participation in the Ark were enough to merit a share in Torah. 

We can understand why the people who provided the gold or physically helped to make the ark would merit a share in Torah, but why should someone who just thought about being involved, merit a share in Torah? 

The answer to this question provides a fascinating insight. We know that the action of performing a Mitzvah will have a positive impact on you. For example, the more Chesed (kindness) you do or the more times you give Tzedaka, the more generous you become. The physical action of giving will make you a more giving person inside. The Ramban is teaching us that even thoughts can have an impact on you and change you. The reality was that not everyone could donate or do the physical labour of building the ark. Yet, if you really wanted to participate and you couldn’t for reasons beyond your control, your thoughts still counted as if you did the action. You still merited a share in Torah.

If a person really wants to do something good and it is only because of circumstances beyond their control that they are unable to do the Mitzvah, the thought alone will accomplish the same thing as if they had done the deed. There is a catch. In order for your thoughts to have a positive impact, you have to really mean it. You have to want to do it 100%. The only reason I didn’t do the Mitzvah is because I truly couldn’t. In a case like that, your thoughts will have the power of your actions and those thoughts have the power to truly change you.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Shaps and the JET Team