Exodus 25:1–27:19
Parshat Terumah
G-d asks the people to bring an offering, terumah, of gold, silver, copper, wool, wood and more to build a Sanctuary, “and I will dwell among them.” The portion details the Ark with its cherubim, the Table with the showbread, the Menorah, the coverings and boards of the Mishkan, and the outer altar and courtyard.
Essays
Parsha Terumah – A House of Unity and Love The greatest challenge is not just unity and love. It is achieving unity within diversity. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – A Tale of Two Vessels The Menorah, the symbol of Torah, with all of its decorations, had to be made of one piece of gold. Likewise, the way we embellish the Torah by discovering new meanings, must be of one piece with the Torah. They must come from within the Torah itself. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Adar: The Month of Transformation Life with joy is a complete life. Joy with Purim is an extraordinary life. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Constructing a Temple in One’s Heart G-d works with the system of reciprocation. When we had the Bais Hamikdash in Jerusalem it inspired us to create a Sanctuary in our own hearts. Conversely, when we create the internal Sanctuary, it generates the cosmic energy that facilitates the building of the Third Temple TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Falsehood and Boards Everyone aspires for truth. Yet it is so elusive because of the obfuscating nature of our physical world. To break out of falsehood we must use the instruments of utter truth. These instruments are the G-dly commandments, which represent objective Divine truth. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Go South Although we have two directions in life, there are times when on need not go in both directions to get the benefits of both. Making the right turn can give us the benefits of both directions. . TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Half Measures (1) While one must toil in the study of Torah, it cannot be fathomed on its own. G-d gave us the Torah as a gift; indeed the greatest gift we have ever received. We are reminded of this Divine gift with the Torah’s description of the Ark TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Half Measures (2) Knowledge comes in three dimensions: Depth, breadth and Length. Our knowledge of Torah is incomplete in all three dimensions. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Impulsive There are two forms of impulsiveness. The first is negative folly. The second is holy folly. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Mitzvah TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Recapturing Our Innocence Our goal as adults is to return to and recapture our inner child. This is indispensable for proper Torah study. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – South or North Having direction in life is crucial for our fulfillment of our Divine mission here on Earth. Once we are on the right path, our next challenge is to take the journey itself and elevate it. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Take Me, Please… A relationship can go two ways. G-d, by giving us the Torah has also given Himself to us. Through Torah we take G-d. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – The Gift Moshiach Will Not Accept There are many contributing factors to the building of the future Temple. And while persecution unleashed hidden energies, the persecutors have no right to claim reward for their efforts. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – The Real Thing! Our world is a world of virtual reality. We strive for Moshiach who will restore reality. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – The Middle Bar Balance is not wishy-washy; indeed it is known as Tiferes-beauty. It is the ability to go to different extremes or to fuse them when appropriate . The ultimate balance we get is from Torah. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – The Shepherd, Guard and Father People who wish to travel on a spiritual journey must protect themselves from negative consequences, misguided spiritual detours, while creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in their lives and homes. These three functions will be served in the third Bais Hamikdash. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – The Uplifting Gift Giving is more than the exchange of an item from one person to another. The word for giving in the Torah, Terumah, suggests the notion of sacrifice and uplifting. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – The Temple “Substitutes” Without our Bais Hamikdash today, we have three ways to recapture G-d’s presence in our own lives. Building Small Sanctuaries (Synagogues) Learning the laws of the construction of the future Bais Hamikdash Wearing Tefillin. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – “Today, I Am a Mishkan!” A Bar Mitzvah begins constructing his Sanctuary with the materials he accumulates in each of the preceding 13 years of his life. Jewish education in these formative years determine the quality of the Sanctuary. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Transplanting Cedars People have been compared to trees and righteous people to cedars in particular. True Jewish leaders in times of exile are like cedars. As cedars they stand proud and majestic even when in exile. TERUMAH TERUMAH Parsha Terumah – Whose Table Is It? Judaism has placed great emphasis on our table. The table is not only the source of nourishment. It is also the symbol of gratitude to G-d, Torah discussions and acts of kindness and charity. TERUMAH TERUMAH