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Why were the nesi'im's names spelled without a yud when they brought the precious stones? The shiur builds a yesod from Rashi (רש"י) on "agra d'pirka rechitza" that credit requires human effort, not merely divine gifts. The nesi'im's lackadaisical giving meant the clouds—not they—gave to the Mishkan, just as one who forgets a shiur receives no credit for learning, only for running.
Rabbi Zweig opens with Parshas Vayakhel's description of the nesi'im (princes) bringing precious stones for the Mishkan. Rashi (רש"י) explains that "nesi'im" is spelled without a yud because they were tardy and lackadaisical—they said the nation should give first and they would deficit-fund whatever remained. When nothing remained, they brought precious stones, but a letter was removed from their name as a consequence. The fundamental question is why specifically a yud was removed. Rather than a punitive measure, the shiur argues that this reflects a deeper principle about human effort and divine gifts. The precious stones came from the clouds—a miraculous gift from Hashem (ה׳) that descended for each tribe. When the nesi'im failed to demonstrate enthusiasm and run forward immediately to give, they contributed nothing beyond picking up what Heaven provided and delivering it. The spelling without the yud reflects reality: the clouds gave to the Mishkan, not the nesi'im.
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Parshas Vayakhel - the nesi'im bringing stones for the Mishkan
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