[Avodah] Vayakhel "N'div Leiv"

[Cantor Wolberg]

The Torah states, “The men came with the women; everyone whose heart  
motivated (n’div leiv) him brought bracelets…” Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh  
explains that there is a difference between “n’div leiv -- motivated  
heart” which is a noun and “asher yidvenu leibo — to give from the  
generosity of heart,” which is a verb. “N’div leiv” is the essence of  
the person. One who is classified as “n’div leiv” is innately one with  
a generous heart.  On the other hand, the one who is classified as  
“yidvenu leibo”  is the one who performs an act of situational  
generosity. Had it not presented itself, it would not have happened.  
It does not genuinely reflect on the essence of the person.  He simply  
was motivated at that moment to act generously. A perfect example of  
this is when one gives to a charity only when solicited. That is  
“yidvenu leibo”.

Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh continues that the one who is “n’div leiv” gives  
without consideration for his own needs or taking into account his own  
limitations. It is the equivalent of one who is classified by the  
Torah as “nisaoh leibo – inspired heart.”  The inspiration of this  
individual is so consuming that his focus is solely on the cause –  
ignoring his own needs.

The Gemara in Tractate Chagigah cites a verse which states, “How  
beautiful are your steps, the daughter of the benefactor (bas  
nadiv).”  The Jews are referred to as the “bas nadiv” because they are  
the descendents of Abraham, who selflessly gave his heart to God  
(n’div leiv). Abraham gave of himself without limitation. When one  
truly loves something, all that exists at that moment is the object of  
his love.  Nothing else exists at that moment to interfere with his  
objective. All that mattered to Abraham was to fulfill the will of  
God. As a result of his selfless behavior, Abraham was referred to by  
God as “My beloved.” His essence was “n’div leiv.”
The Gemara tells us that mercy, shame/conscience, and acts of kindness  
are characteristics that are inherent in the Jewish people. This is  
because they descend from Avraham who possessed these  
characteristics.  The Jewish people are referred to as the “daughter  
of the benefactor - bas n’div” (Abraham our Patriarch) because every  
Jew inherently has the potential to give of himself selflessly as  
Abraham had done.  Will we use it?

ri
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