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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5753

“And you shall make the boards for the Mishkan from shittim wood standing upright.” (26:15)

The Midrash questions the specific use of shittim wood for the beams of the Mishkan. Chazal respond that Hashem has chosen to teach a lesson regarding the proper derech eretz one must model when building a house or when undertaking any endeavor which affects others. Hashem chose shittim wood which comes from a barren tree. Likewise, when we build, we should use wood which originates from a tree which does not produce fruit. This Midrash is noteworthy. The Mishkan is the major source of holiness in this world. Yet, its construction may not affect any other form of “life,” even…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5753

“And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall pass from end to end.” (26:28)

The Targum Yonason explains that this middle bar originated from Avraham’s famous “inn” from which he would provide food and drink for wayfarers. The angels cut it down and threw it into the sea, where it floated until it was retrieved by Moshe. Horav E. Muller, Shlita, notes the significance of this statement. Everyone was requested to contribute their heartfelt donation towards the construction of the Mishkan. In order to maintain this structure, however, it was essential to have as the middle bar a pole which was derived from a house which exemplified the highest level of chesed. The Mishkan,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5752

“And they shall make for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them.”(25:8)

The Mishkan serves as the place where a Jew can have the opportunity to encounter Hashem’s Presence in a controlled and structured manner. The Ramban notes that the parsha concerning the building of the Mishkan (with its holy vessels) follows the parshios dealing with the giving of the Torah and instituting the system of laws and social justice. Only after Am Yisrael has established itself as a holy nation to be fulfilled through Torah and mitzvos do the Jewish people merit the Mishkan as a place to centralize the pre-existent holiness within the community. The Mishkan is not the source…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5752

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

We may note from the pesukim that the commandments regarding making the various vessels of the Mishkan differ in style and form. Regarding the Aron Hakodesh it says, and they shall make, which is the plural form. Regarding the Menorah and the Shulchan, on the other hand, it says, and you shall make, in the singular form. The Midrash reflects upon this distinction and states, “Let them all come and involve themselves in the study of the Torah.” Access to Torah is not limited. The opportunity to attain greatness in the area of Torah endeavor is open to everybody, and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5752

“And you shall make two Keruvim of gold.” (25:18)

Rashi explains that the Keruvim’s face had the form of a child’s face. We must endeavor to understand the rationale for selecting the face of a child from among the myriads of Hashem’s creations as the basis of the Keruvim. Rabbi Meir Rubman Z”l suggests that a child symbolizes an individual who strives to learn, one who does not yet feel accomplished, one who is always willing to listen, reflect, and accept guidance. He cites the Baal Haturim who states that the pasuk (Hoshea 11:1) “For Yisrael is a youth and I love him,” alludes to the Keruvim. Hashem knows…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5752

“And the Keruvim shall be spreading out their wings on high… with their faces one towards another.” (25:20)

Every Jew must strive to attain both attributes which are implied by the Keruvim. He should “spread his wings upward,” making every attempt to consecrate his whole being to Heaven. At the same time, however, it is necessary to maintain “their faces one towards another”, concerning himeself with his fellow Jews’ welfare and seeking ways to be of service to his friends during their times of need. These two behavioral patterns must be intergrated into the personality of a Jew. Rather than being contradictory, they complement each other.   The Talmud (Bava Basra 99a) questions the disparity between two pesukim….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5751

“Speak unto the Bnei Yisroel and they shall take for Me an offering from every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take My offering.” (25:2)

From this parasha, where for the first time the Jewish people are requested to donate of themselves and their possessions, many of the commentators derive insights into the nature of the mitzvah of Tzedaka (charity). Various interpretations are given to the unusual wording of the posuk. One “gives” charity, therefore it should have said “and they shall give” rather than “and they shall take”. Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried Zt”l remarks that “they should take” connotes the very essence of the mitzvah. One who gives charity is really taking for himself, since he himself gains as a result of the performance of…

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Home -> 5751 -> Terumah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5751

“And they shall make for Me a sanctuary, then I will dwell in their midst. (25:8)

  Rashi explains, and they shall make for My Name a house of holiness. Rashi emphasizes the correct attitude and proper intention one must have when donating to the Mishkan. A person is measured by the degree of his spiritual development which is realized through his relationship with holy sources. One source is man’s soul which is a minute fragment that is Divinely inspired. Another source is the dimension of time, namely shabbos during which one can experience spirituality. The Mishkan is a place in this world where one can attach  himself to a source of holiness. This can only…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5751

“And you shall make two cherubim of gold.” (25:18)

  Rashi explains that they had the form of the face of a child. The Holy Ark which contained the Torah, symbolized the importance of the proper attitudes necessary for the study of Torah. The faces of the Keruvim which were placed above the Ark had the form of children. There are various lessons to be derived from this. Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik Zt”l inferred that educating children is the foundation for the Divine Presence to dwell among us, since children are the guardians of the Torah, and therefore the security of maintaining the Jewish people as an eternal nation….

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Home -> 5751 -> Terumah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5751

“And you shall make the beams for the Mishkan of Shitim wood.” (26:15)

Chazal explain that the Shitim wood from which the walls of the Mishkan were made were from trees that did not bear fruit (Shemos Rabba 35:5). There is a lesson to be derived from this statement. It is not the structure that bears fruit; even the most beautiful building will not produce the spirit of Judaism. Buildings are but mere edifices of wood and stone, architectural monuments to mankind; but without the people inside, they are nothing. The Shitim wood of the Mishkan will not produce observant Jews and Torah scholars. It is the teaching that goes on inside which…

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