QUESTIONS FOR THE SHABBOS TABLE PARSHAS TERUMAH, EXODUS 25:1–27:19

Questions for the Shabbos Table contains snippets from the weekly Torah portion. The goal of Questions for the Shabbos Table is to bring more Torah to English speakers living in Israel and abroad.

For some who have recently immigrated to Israel, there may be the nagging sentiment of being in a foreign country. Questions for the Shabbos Table is intended to do away with that sentiment, for you not to be a stranger in a strange land.

And for those living abroad, it is a means to come closer to the Divine. If however you are living in the Land, you are already a step closer.

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QUESTIONS FOR THE SHABBOS TABLE

PARSHAS TERUMAH, EXODUS 25:1–27:19

In Parshas Terumah, 25:8, Hashem says to Moshe:

וְעָשׂוּ לִי, מִקְדָּשׁ; וְשָׁכַנְתִּי, בְּתוֹכָם

 “Let them make Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them.”

I think that the Land of Israel is the sanctuary that Hashem commanded us to build.  Israel is a sanctuary, a safe haven for us Jews as well as a private place for the presence of God.

This week we receive detailed instructions regarding the construction of the משכן, the portable sanctuary, a dwelling place for Hashem’s presence.  Two of the major components of the משכן are the Ark and the Menorah:

The Ark is protected by two Cherubs.  These are winged-liked unearthly creatures that have the faces of children.  It is thought just as the Cherubs protect the Ark, it is our children who protect our Torah and our Jewish traditions.

The Menorah in its abstract resembles a tree, perhaps the Tree of Life.  And when it branches are lit by Aaron the Kohen Gadol, the Menorah resembles Hashem’s Torah that gives light to us Jews and to the world at large.

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The Haftorah portion of Parshas Terumah is from KINGS 1 5:26 - 6:13. It begins:

“And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him, “

 וַיהוָה, נָתַן חָכְמָה לִשְׁלֹמֹה, כַּאֲשֶׁר, דִּבֶּר-לוֹ

God gives Solomon wisdom, and in the Book of Kings 1 from Chapter 3 through 10 we learn of the glory of Solomon’s rule.  But then we come to Chapter 11 and a different picture of Solomon emerges.  He is no longer wise, and it is not just Solomon’s excesses in terms of horses, wives and gold.  Nor is it the negative influence of his Egyptian Queen, in terms of her idolatry.

At 11:1 – “King Solomon loved many foreign women and the daughter of Pharaoh; Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites.

At 11:3 - And he had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned away his heart.

At 11;5 - And Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

At 11:7 - Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab on the mountain that is before Jerusalem and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

At 11:9 - And the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had digressed from the Lord, God of Israel, Who had appeared to him twice.

At 11:11 - And the Lord said to Solomon, "For as this has been with you, and you have not observed My covenant and My statutes which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and I shall give it to your servant.

And that is exactly what happened: The Kingdom of Judah had been comprised of all 12 Tribes. Ten of these revolted and they became known as the Kingdom of Israel or the Northern Kingdom.   Judah was left with only two Tribes that of Benjamin and Judah.

Solomon’s servant was none other than Jeroboam (11:26). He had an opportunity to succeed to all the blessings that were to be given to Solomon and Judah, but he too followed the path of idolatry.

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Rosh Chodesh (1 Adar) has a connection to the Parsha in regard to the construction of the Mishkan.  According to the Talmud (Tractate Megillah 22b), women are forbidden to engage in work on Rosh Chodesh.   Rashi comments: Women must refrain: spinning, weaving, and sewing—the skills that women contributed to the building of the Mishkan.

There is a Midrash, (Pirke De-Rabbi Eliezer, Chapter 45), as paraphrased explores this further: Aaron argued with himself, saying: "If I say to Israel, 'Give me gold and silver,' the men will bring it immediately; but behold if I will say to them, 'Give me the earrings of your wives and your sons,' the matter will immediately fail,"

 "And Aaron said to them, 'Break off the golden rings.'" The women heard this, but they were unwilling to give their earrings to their husbands. The women said to them: "You want to make a graven image, a molten image (the Golden Calf) without any power in it to deliver.

"The Holy One, blessed be He, gave the women their reward in this world and the world to come. What reward did He give them in this world? That they should observe the new moons more stringently (not work) than the men. What reward will He give them in the world to come? They are destined to be renewed like the new moons, as it is said: "Who satisfies the years with good things; their youth is renewed like the eagle."

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