Terumah Summaries
Terumah 5770-2010"Earning a Meaningful Living"
The vital message of the Shulchan, the Table of Showbread, is that not only do our prayers and our worship need to be sanctified. Our work, our labor and our means of earning a living need to be sanctified as well. link to full |
Terumah 5769-2009 Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch’s interpretation of the difficult to comprehend details and furnishings of the Tabernacle teach us insightful life lessons. Among those lessons is that Israel’s material and intellectual well-being stand under Divine protection. When Israel uses both of these endowments properly to further the ideals taught by Torah, then we as a people will be prosperous and safe. There is a grave danger lest prosperity become of primary importance, and intellectual advance be used to modify or reform the Torah. |
Terumah 5768-2008 The Torah tells us that three items were stored in the Tabernacle for future generations, a flask of manna, some anointing oil, and the staff of Aaron that blossomed. The Talmud and the midrashim add that the garments of the High Priest and the priest who led the Israelites in battle as well as the gifts from the Philistines when the Ark was returned were stored there as well. What purpose do these items serve? |
Terumah 5767-2007"G-d’s Love Letters" |
Terumah 5766-2006"Make for Me a Sanctuary, And I Shall Dwell in Their Midst"
The syntax of the verse "and they shall make for Me a sanctuary, and I shall dwell among them," is rather odd. The purpose of this strangely constructed verse is to teach that G-d does not dwell in a sanctuary, but rather among the people of Israel. The questions remain: How are Jews to develop true passion in their relationship with G-d? How are we to light the fire that will ignite our hearts and souls in our worship of the Al-mighty G-d? Link to full |
Terumah 5765-2005 |
Terumah 5764-2004"Being Transported by Torah"
Within the instructions regarding the fashioning of vessels of the Tabernacle, a timeless lesson regarding the Torah is to be found. Since the Torah is always to be portable, Jews have been able to bring it with them no matter where they journeyed. Yet, any notion that Jews have about sustaining the Torah throughout the years is a delusion. It is the Torah that supports those who cling to it. Link to full |
Terumah 5763-2003 The fact that the Mishkan--the Tabernacle, and its central furnishings so closely resemble the Jewish home, underscores the sanctity of the Jewish domicile. By analyzing each of the Tabernacle’s furnishings, we uncover the invaluable symbolic meanings of these furnishings that deserve to be found in every Jewish home. |
Terumah 5762-2002 The Holy Ark was the central furnishing of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), which housed the Torah. Since Torah is the elixir of life for the Jewish people, the Ark, with its nonremovable staves, went with the people whenever they moved. This ancient practice teaches us that at the very core of our homes must be the Torah. |
Terumah 5761-2001 The Code of Jewish Law suggests that a person is required to become intoxicated on Purim until he doesn’t know the difference between cursing Haman and blessing Mordechai. One explanation given for this tradition is that all year long Jews use reason as a means to faith. However, once a year, on Purim, we strip away all traces of reason and serve G-d with our faith alone. |
Terumah 5760-2000 The Mishkan--the Tabernacle, is very much like a home, and has all the furnishings that are found in a home. The fact that our synagogue is called a Beit Kinesset, a house of coming together, underscores the importance of the home. Unless our homes serve as dwelling places for G-d, there will be little chance that our religion will be effectively communicated in our synagogues or in our temples. |