Komentaryo sa Exodo 35:27: Tze'enah Ure'enah, Rashi, Rashbam & Or HaChaim

“And the chieftains brought lapis lazuli” [35:27]. The highest chieftains of Israel brought precious stones that the high priest should make a garment from them to wear on his heart. It is known that the prince or the head of the community is arrogant and wants to hold himself high. Therefore, the chieftains brought the precious stones that the high priest wore on his heart to forgive the arrogance that the person pursues with his heart. The princes said: let all of Israel first bring silver and gold and everything. Afterwards, whatever will be missing, we will bring a sufficient quantity. However, the Israelites brought enough silver and all the other things and the chieftains did not have anything to bring. They had to bring the precious stones and therefore Scripture did not write the names if the chieftains in full in the Torah because they came last with their donation. Even though their intention was good, yet the Torah embarrassed them. From here one should learn that no person should remain behind when they want to do a mitzvah or give a donation. Each one should place himself in the front to help with the mitzvah. His reward is greater from the Holy One.²¹Bahya, Exodus, 35:27.

Some sages say that the Holy One sent clouds from heaven which brought precious stones, since where could they have found enough precious stones if the clouds had not brought them? “The chieftains” [35:27] is translated as clouds. Some sages say that the precious stones fell down from heaven with the manna in the desert. The Israelites collected the precious stones from the manna.²²B. Yoma, 75a.

והנשאם הביאו AND THE PRINCES BROUGHT [ONYX STONES] R. Nathan asked, “What reason had the princes to give their contributions at the dedication of the altar (Numbers 7:12ff.) first of all the people, whereas at the work of the Tabernacle they were not the first, but the last to contribute?” But — replied he — the princes spoke thus: “Let the community in general contribute all they with to give and what will then be lacking we shall supply” But when the community gave everything needed in its entirety — as it is said, (Exodus 36:7) “For the stuff they had was enough [for all the work to make it, and some was left]” — the princes asked, “What can we now do?” therefore הביאו את אבני השהם וגו׳ THEY BROUGHT THE ONYX STONES etc. That is why they were the first to contribute at the consecration of the altar. Because, however, they were dilatory at the beginning, a letter is missing here from their title (thus intimating that something, viz., zeal was lacking in them): for it is written והנשאם instead of והנשיאים (Numbers Rabbah 12:16).