Weekly Sidra: Terumah (Gift)
Torah Portion: Shemot / Exodus 25:1-27:19
Haftorah: Yeshayahu / Isaiah 66:1-24

Parsha Terumah is our Torah reading this week, and is Exodus / Shemot 25:1-27:19. We have the “Open Box” instructions for the building of the Mishkan or Temple. Does it matter how we feel as we follow the instruction? We agreed to do the mizvot / commandments before hearing them. With that understood I may not enjoy what I have agreed to do. Am I expected to gain control of my emotions as well now?

Terumah, the name of this week’s reading, means uplifted donation. Already we have a distinction between an uplifted donation and one that has not been lifted up. The act of uplifting must carry a significance that may not be immediately apparent. Sacrifices and offerings to HaShem were lifted up or raised in the arms of the one bringing it to the altar. Donations given to the community were not lifted up in an act of worship. Implied is the understanding that both forms of tzedakah / donations have their place. If we bring a donation what does it matter our motive?

The readings of the last month have been a chance to explore the beginning of an open intentional relationship with the Most High carrying both responsible and expectations. HaShem has just removed them from slavery, led them on dry land thru the Sea of Reeds, and spoken with them on Mount Sinai.

From this point in the covenanted / committed relationship the people heard in Shemot 25:1-7.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him. And these are the gifts that you shall accept from them: gold, silver, and copper;blue, purple, and crimson yarns, fine linen, goats’ hair; tanned ram skins, dolphin skins, and acacia wood;oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the aromatic incense;lapis lazuli and other stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. Exactly as I show you — the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings — so shall you make it.

Why is this important here, now, to me and what can it bring to my daily life? The tzeddaka / gifts came from individuals to the community for HaShem’s dwelling place with them. The gifts came from their relationship with the Kadosh Baruch Hu / The Holy One, blessed be He to build a dwelling place, a sanctuary, a set apart place within their borders for HaShem. Imagine newlyweds building a dwelling how would the bride respond to a home built grudgingly soon after the marriage. What would that speak but unhappiness, resentment, unfulfilled expectations and a myriad of other negative connotations to the bride.

The Most High knew that there were some with mixed feelings necessitating the statement, “from every person whose heart so moves him”, and knew that there would be enough for a sanctuary built to specification. HaShem knows His People then and now. What does it mean to see His Hand in my life now daily as the Israelites did? Do I know Kadosh Baruch Hu and His work in my life so vividly that my giving moved from my heart? Am I willing to do my part in building sanctuary / a set apart place for HaShem in my life. As we await the future building of the Third Beit HaMikdash, the Third House of the Sanctuary we have time to prepare our hearts and a dwelling place in our life for the Most High God.

Written by Rivka