Terumah

From the beginning of Adar we increase in rejoicing!!

Shalom and Bracha!

This Shabbat we read the portion of Terumah, which begins the discussion concerning the construction of the Temple in the desert. Since the Torah is not simply a history book, and every portion has lessons for each of us at all times, we will look at some lessons from this week's portion.

Hashem commanded that on top of the Ark, which held Tablets with the Ten Commandments, a golden cover should be placed with images of two angels facing each other. When Hashem spoke to Moshe, the voice came from in between the angels. The Talmud teaches that there was a unique miracle that occurred with these angels. The angels represented the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. When Hashem was pleased with the Jewish people, they faced each other. When He was angry with the Jewish people, they faced away from each other. Although they were close in proximity, the facing away from each other showed that there was a distance.

Often, we spend time interacting with Hashem. We go to a synagogue, attend a Torah lesson, or do an act of kindness. However, our "face" is in the other direction. Our face represents our excitement, intent, and interest. This behavior is much like the angels who rest in close proximity but face away from each other. If we desire that Hashem should "show us His face", and treat us with love, care and attention, then when we are interacting with Him, we must turn our face to Him. This is also an important lesson in our relations with people. Often we spend time with people but we don't "face" them. Our minds and hearts are elsewhere. This is also why we forget about each other; we never "faced" each other. During the communist oppression, a teacher in an underground Hebrew school came to the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Shneerson, to ask blessings for his students. Because of fear of being caught, he committed their names to memory rather than writing them. During his meeting with the Rebbe, he forgot one of the children's names. The Rebbe asked him, "How can you forget a Jewish child?" and told him the child's name. At the time, the Rebbe had hundreds of underground schools with thousands of students, but each of them had his full "face."

Rashi makes an interesting comment concerning the Menorah. Hashem said to Moshe "you shall see and then make" the Menorah. Rashi explains that Moshe was confused until Hashem showed him a Menorah of fire. What is the lesson from this?

The Menorah represents the Jewish people. The Torah commands that the Menorah be made from one piece of gold, rather than soldering together seven branches. This is because the unity among the Jewish people is because they are all limbs of one body. Moshe sought guidance as to how to bring forth such a display of unity among a divided people. Hashem answered him with a Menora of fire. First, we must warm ourselves and ignite our inner flame. Then with warmth, we can unite with a fellow Jew's inner flame.

As we study the construction of the Temple may we immediately see the construction of the Third Temple with the coming of Moshiach.

 Shabbat Shalom,

 Rabbi Biggs