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Jewish WisdomParsha & Leadership

Parshat Terumah: Skin in the Game

By Alex Bolotovsky, CEO of J Leaders

Parsha in a Nutshell

The Israelites are tasked with building the Mishkan (a portable Sanctuary). Instead of G-d just making it appear (like Mana) or Moses paying for it with some hidden Egyptian gold, the order is: “Take for Me a gift from every person whose heart moves them” (Exodus 25:2). Everyone, from the wealthiest to the poorest, had to contribute raw materials like gold, wool, or wood. The result wasn’t just a beautiful building; it was a project that the entire nation felt they actually owned.

Diving Deeper

The secret to Terumah is that the “gift” was more important for the giver than for the project. G-d doesn’t need the gold, but the people needed to give it to feel connected to the mission. As a leader, it’s tempting to do everything yourself because it’s “faster” or “easier,” but that’s a trap. When you do everything, you leave your team with zero “skin in the game.” True leadership is about creating a feeling of ownership. It’s about realizing that people don’t support what they don’t help create. If you want a team that’s loyal and motivated, you have to stop handing out finished products and start asking for “raw materials”: their ideas, their time, and their unique skills. Ownership isn’t given; it’s built through contribution.

Weekly Leadership Challenge

  1. Lower the Barrier: Identify a project where you’ve been the “lone wolf.” This week, find one small task, even something that takes 5 minutes, and set up a peer to handle it. Watch how their interest in the project’s success increases.
  2. The “Heart” Check: When asking for help, don’t just assign a chore. Explain why the project matters and ask, “Is this something you’d be interested in contributing to?” Give them the chance to give from the “heart,” not just from an obligation.
  3. Invest in Others: Be a “Terumah” contributor for someone else. Find a friend’s project and offer a specific “raw material” (like a piece of feedback or a social media share) without them asking. See how it changes your own investment in their success.