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Torah Portion -
Terumah
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Written by d fine
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Here’s one for the secret amateur grammarians out there. The pasuk (25:31) calls the Menorah a menoras zahav - a golden Menorah. The words the pasuk uses mean that the Menorah is called a ‘golden Menorah’ as opposed to a ‘Menorah made of gold’ (menorah shel zahav). This is out of the ordinary, for the Torah does not call the Shulchan, for example, a ‘wooden table,’ but rather ‘a table made of wood’ (25:23). Why is the Menorah different? The Netziv answers (gloriously) that the pasuk did so in order to put the word Menorah next to the word ‘tahor’ (pure) - hinting to us that the Menorah only gives off its light properly if the generation are pure in their deeds. Indeed, this is why in the Chanukah story there was no light shining from the Menorah (no oil, remember) - for the generation were not acting in a pure manner. As the Netziv writes, the same applies to the concept that the Menorah represents the power of learning Torah in depth - this ability also depends on our application to building this skill and holy discipline.
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Torah Portion -
Terumah
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Written by d fine
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The Netziv (25:2) proves from various sources that the donations to the Mishkan were actually forced; there was no choice whether to donate or not. Why was this so - surely voluntary donations would have been better for they actually display the willingness of the donor to give? The idea is that forcing something shows its necessity and importance in life. If one has a choice about whether to do something or not, it shows that the matter in question is not all that important - otherwise one would have to do it regardless of their choice. For example, we have no real meaningful choice over whether we breathe - this is the fabric of our ability to live. Similarly, boys have a bris milah at eight days; why don’t they wait until they are thirteen so they can choose independently to have a bris? For we are showing that a bris is not a ‘choice’ or selection - it is part of the fabric of being Jewish. Furthermore, there’s a deeper level here. Not having the choice to do something shows that there is Someone Above to Whom you are subordinating yourself. If I can choose whether or not to carry out my boss’s orders, he’s not such a strong boss. But if I have no choice in the matter, that’s a sure sign that I am a true subordinate to the boss. The same applies here; having no choice in a spiritual matter reflects the fact that you realise that HaShem is truly above you and cannot be argued with - it is not up to you to decide whether or not you agree with Divine wisdom.
Putting all this together, this is why the Mishkan donations were forced. For HaShem was showing us that we have no choice whether there is a Mishkan or not - it is a major fulcrum of importance in our Jewish lives. Moreover, HaShem was teaching us to subordinate ourselves to Him. Indeed, it is no coincidence that Mattan Torah was forced too; Chazal tell us that HaShem lifted Har Sinai on top of Bnei Yisrael, forcing them to accept the Torah - again conveying that the Torah is not a matter of choice; it is our lifeblood and part and parcel of our Jewish identity.
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Torah Portion -
Terumah
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Written by Rafi Jager
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We all know the scenario. Having engulfed a three course meal, you know that you're stuffed. But just as you imagine it's time for the meal to end, your host brings out that mouthwatering chocolate-chip, double-fudge-topped, triple-layer cake extravaganza. "Would you like to try some?" your host asks cordially. The question poses a terrible dilemma. On the one hand, you are full to the brim; another bite will, without doubt, cause a stomach ache. Plus, who needs the calories? On the other hand, you haven't eaten a chocolate-chip, double-fudge-topped, triple-layer extravaganza for literally months, and it's absolutely your favorite
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Torah Portion -
Terumah
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Written by Rafi Jager
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In the beginning of this week's Parsha, Hashem tells Moshe to "take for Me a portion" (Exodus 25:2) referring to the items which were to be brought for the construction of the Mishkan. The Sforno poses a very interesting question. If Hashem wanted the Jews to give a portion to the Mishkan, then why didn't Hashem say "give" instead of "take"?
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Torah Portion -
Terumah
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Written by Daniel Sandground
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Parashas Terumah – ...and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
In this weeks sedra and from now in the book of Shemos, we see the Torah describe the basic blueprints for the preparations and construction of the Mishkan (Temple) which translates as the 'dwelling place', as it says at the beginning of the sedra... 'they shall make a sanctuary for me' [25:8]. Now the sharp ones amongst you will notice that this is not fully true as in Parashas Ki Sisa the Torah takes the narrative back back to Mount Sinai with the incident of the golden calf which is seemingly unrelated to the construction of the Mishkan... but the even sharper ones amongst you would have read Sforno's commentary on this...
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