In parashat Terumah, everyone brings gifts; everyone has something to bring and everyone’s contribution is different. The detail on the construction of the Mishkan is not just the descriptions of beautiful yarns, gold and copper implements, and so forth. It is the sacred instruction on creating community. Torah teaches that we build community together.
Tetzaveh is intriguing in that Moses is not even mentioned; the focus is on Aaron and his role of High Priest. While some question why the role went to Aaron, the deeper message is the principle of separation of power. Aaron was first tested when he accepted that the political and administrative leadership went to his younger brother; accordingly, it is Moses himself who bestows the honor of priesthood on Aaron.
Rabbi Rabinowitz writes of his concern that sacred sites today become the property of only a few people or less, because of the tendency to rely on the generosity of a few wealthy donors. In contrast, Terumah describes contributions from everyone in the community—many small contributions instead of a few large ones. Thus the whole community had ownership in the Tabernacle.
Rabbi Sacks questions why the Creation narrative is told in only 34 verses, whereas the narrative of the construction of the Tabernacle is 1/3 of the book of Shemot. In Bereishit, the emphasis is on the beginning of a family; in Shemot, the family becomes a nation. Throughout Shemot, God performs wonders, the people are awed, then they complain, and complain some more….
Rabbi Rabinowitz writes of his concern that sacred sites today become the property of only a few people or less, because of the tendency to rely on the generosity of a few wealthy donors. In contrast, Terumah describes contributions from everyone in the community—many small contributions instead of a few large ones. Thus the whole community had ownership in the Tabernacle.
Rabbi Artson comments that the Menorah was the visible symbol of Judaism since antiquity; the Magen David was introduced during the Middle Ages. The parashah contains detailed instruction regarding the Menorah for the Tabernacle. Moses was undoubtedly confused. Interesting, Betzalel, who did not contribute any scholarship to Judaism, used his artistic genius to fashion the implements for the Tabernacle. Rabbi Artson writes that everyone has unique gifts.
Please follow the link below to read Rabbi Barenblat’s sensitive blog on the Jewish perspective of reproductive rights:
God’s Nudge: In Mishpatim, we read the details for the general principles of the Assert Hadibrot / “Ten Utterances”. Rabbi Sacks comments that the first full law code in the Torah begins with the law concerning treatment of a Hebrew servant, and asks, “why this law”? The Israelites have just escaped from centuries of slavery in Egypt; God knew it was going to happen,
Rabbi Sacks writes that the covenant in Yitro is not the first Divine covenant; there was the covenant with Noah and another one with Abraham. However, these were not reciprocal. At Sinai, God wanted the covenant to be mutual; God wants the liberated people—formerly enslaved—to worship freely. This is a powerful concept.
Last week, Rabbi Barenblat wrote about habits and grooves. Pharaoh had hardened his heart so many times that it “just stayed that way”. Exodus teaches us to examine our habits closely, like shoes—the shoes that God told Moses to remove “because of holy ground”. Habits—the right ones—need to be cultivated, such as little acts of kindness. Please follow the link to her blog below to read this article: