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Sruly Schnair
In Terumah, 5756

“You shall make a table.. you shall cover it with pure gold and you shall make for it a gold crown all around.” (25:23,24)

Rashi contends that the gold crown which surrounded the Shulchan was above the misgeres, molding. In contrast, the crown surrounding the Aron was part of the actual box that projected upward, encircling the top of the Aron. The crown of the Shulchan is called the keser malchus, crown of monarchy. The Shulchan was the medium through which the blessing of nourishment flowed to the world. The golden rim surrounding the upper edge of the Shulchan symbolized the loftiest position of material power in Klal Yisrael — the crown of monarchy. The Aron which contained the Luchos symbolized the Torah, and…

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Home -> 5756 -> Terumah

Sruly Schnair
In Terumah, 5756

“You shall make a Menorah of pure gold, hammered out shall the Menorah be made… see and make, according to their form which you are shown on the mountain.” (25:31,40)

The various forms of the Menorah were to be hammered out from one large ingot of gold. The Midrash teaches that Moshe had great difficulty visualizing the exact appearance of the Menorah. In response, Hashem showed him a Menorah made of fire. Moshe was still concerned regarding his ability to make the Menorah to Hashem’s specifications.  Hashem told Moshe to cast the ingot into a fire, and a completed Menorah emerged.  The Menorah, therefore, was actually created without human intervention. The Maharal suggests that Moshe fashioned the Menorah, but when he cast it into the fire as part of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5755

“And this is the donation you shall take from them, gold, silver and copper.” (25:3)

In the Midrash, Chazal infer that these three metals represent the three Patriarchs. Gold is symbolic of Avraham Avinu in that he was tested like gold in the fiery furnace. Silver alludes to Yitzchak Avinu, who was purified on the altar in the same manner that silver is refined. Copper, which in Hebrew is “nechoshes,” brings Yaakov to mind. Lavan was referring to Yaakov when he said, “nichashti,” I have observed the signs that Hashem has blessed me for your sake” (Bereishis 30:27). This Midrash begs elucidation.  First, what relationship is there between the Patriarchs and the various metals used…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5755

“And you shall make a candelabra of pure gold, hammered out shall the candelabra be made.” (25:31)

Chazal teach us that the menorah was the only vessel which was “mikshah,” hammered out. Its various parts were “drawn out” from an original mass of gold by means of the beating of a hammer.  The commentators, each in his own inimitable style, suggest rationales for the distinct technical deviation in the shaping of the menorah. We suggest the following reason. In his commentary on Avos 4:17, the Maharal explains the Mishnah which states: There are three crowns, the crown of Torah, the crown of Kehunah, and the crown of royalty, but the crown of a shem tov, good name,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5755

“And you shall make the planks for the Mishkan of shittim wood standing up.” (26:15)

Chazal state that shittim (acacia) wood does not bear fruit. It is a strong and tough wood which has limited practical application. What is the significance of this wood in regard to the Mishkan? It would seem that the wood selected to serve as the walls of the Mishkan, the mainstays of the edifice wherein the Shechinah would “repose,” would be one which had many practical uses. We suggest that this choice imparts an important message. The planks of the Mishkan may be viewed metaphorically as the Torah scholars in a community. To the “simple” citizen they might not seem…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5755

“And all the pegs of the chatzer (shall be made of) copper.” (27:19)

Rashi explains that these pegs were made of copper and helped secure the curtains of the Ohel and the hangings of the Chatzer. They were tied with ropes around their bottoms, so that the wind would not lift them. At first Rashi questions the technical application of these pegs. He discusses whether they were anchored in the ground or tied and suspended, so that their sheer weight held down the bottoms of the curtains to keep them from moving in the wind. Horav Moshe Feinstein z.l., compares the pegs and curtains to a ben Torah. A ben Torah is apt…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5753

“That they take for Me a Terumah.” (25:2)

The Baal Shem Tov notes that Parashas Terumah, which contains the mitzvah of donating toward the building of the Mishkan, immediately follows Parashas Mishpatim, which ends with the receiving of the Torah. He explains that the command to build the Mishkan was Hashem’s way of telling Bnei Yisrael to substantively actualize their acceptance of the Torah. It isn’t sufficient to proclaim gnabu vagbw “We will do and we will hear,” and then return to our daily lives as if nothing had transpired. It is imperative to stimulate the potential of our statement into action. If it remains dormant, eventually it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5753

“An offering from everyone whose heart motivates him to give… gold, silver, and copper.” (25:2,3)

Each of these metals is of different value. They are, nonetheless, included together and considered of equal importance. For, this is “an offering of the heart,” regarding which it is stated: Whether one gives more or less, it is meaningless, as long as his thoughts are focused for (the honor of) Heaven.” (Berachos 5b). How much one gives is not important. Rather, it is the motivation for his donation which is of critical value. Thus, gold, silver, and copper can be perceived equally.

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5753

“And they shall make an Aron of shittim wood.” (25:10)

Bnei Yisrael were enjoined to build the Aron Hakodesh prior to the Mishkan itself. Why was this? Horav M. Gifter, Shlita. suggests the following reason for this. The Aron, which held the Torah, represents the Torah as the foundation of our people. Because we have the Torah, Hashem chooses to rest the Divine Presence in our midst. Consequently, we must orient our priorities in accordance with the Torah. Horav Gifter notes that the Aron was built even prior to the Mizbayach, Altar. The Mizbayach denotes sacrifice and its derivative, mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice for Hashem and His mitzvos. He explains that…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5753

“And they shall make an Aron of shittim wood… and you shall cover it with pure gold from within and without.” (25:10,11)

Although in the eyes of the beholder, the Aron appeared to be made completely of gold, it is a well known fact that this was only an overlay. The actual Aron was made of wood, sandwiched between outer and inner layers of gold. This seems enigmatic. It would be appropriate that this most sublime vessel, which housed the Torah, consist entirely of gold. Certainly gold would more readily reflect the magnificence and majesty of the Almighty. Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, who raises this question, offers the following lesson to be derived from this “wooden” Aron. Wood is a living substance…

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