Because He said So - Terumah

Because He Said So
Parshat Terumah


The portion of Terumah is a portion of giving. The word Terumah means "to donate".

Our Parshah enumerates the many different materials that were donated by the Jewish people to the building of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness (essentially, the first synagogue). There was also a great deal of personal investment in this august task. The planning, architecture, construction, and the many trades that were employed as part of the project. From smiths to artists and so many more, all came together to create the magnificent Mishkan (Sanctuary) for Hashem and the many holy vessels that filled it.

Yet, when the Torah concludes the instructional phase of our portion, the verse states "V'Chen Ta'asu - So shall you do" (Shemot 25:9).

This verse is puzzling on multiple levels. Firstly, If G-d wanted the Israelites to "do what He said", why was there the need for all these committees, planning, artisans, workers and the entire notion of giving "gifts" to the Mishkan. G-d could have easily commanded the Jews to give money and follow the instructions to the tee, end of discussion. On the other hand, if G-d wanted personal involvement and contribution from the people, why does the Torah conclude the entire section with a statement of "So shall you do", which is an authoritative command, without much wiggle room or creative license?

The answer is, that in order to serve a higher purpose, there really must be both elements in every project. There must be the vision, purpose and overall direction, but there must also be the personal involvement, investment and colorful expression that is brought by the individual.

That is the key to the survival and success of Jewish and religious institutions. We must, by all means, bring our own ingenuity, success, ideas, commitment and largess into a worthwhile project or organization, but we must always remember, that it is Hashem who sets the ground rules for our lives and morals. When we keep these fundamentals in place, we then can bring all we have to offer, as our offering.

So build beautiful organizations. Construct magnificent buildings. Contribute your resources. Get involved! But don't forget the fundamentals and never-changing principles of who and why we exist. G-d sets the rules and guidelines. It is Hashem that we trust to guide our direction, and then we bring our gifts and talents and contribute however we can.

Shabbat Shalom

Grounded Growth - Mishpatim

Grounded Growth
Parshat Mishpatim

"Ve'Eleh Ha'Mishpatim - And these are the laws that you shall place before them". (Shemot: 21:1)

Thus begins our weekly Torah portion Mishpatim, a portion that is chock full of commandments, laws of conduct, torts and damages, and is the basis for several lengthy volumes of Talmud technicalities and inquiries.

Why would Hashem give us the Torah (in last week's portion of Yitro), wow us with thunder, lightening and pyrotechnics, and then drop the ball in helping us with continued spirituality and inspiration? Where is the spirituality and inspiration in the minutia of civil law and regulations of conduct towards another human being? Why couldn't the Torah have begun the actual study phase (Mishpatim) with some Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), a great story, or at the very least, something
more inspirational and moving?

The answer is that because without the basic, boring, and mundane realities of our lives, there can be no enduring spirituality. Holiness and spirituality must be grounded in the physical reality of our existence. One cannot be holy yet out of touch with the other. Many years ago a prominent successful educator told me, "in order for children to find spiritual, material, and emotional success, they must have stability and be grounded in reality" and I concur. 

The greatest gift we can give our children and students is that of stability. Everything else is secondary and will come in time. This I believe, is the reason why the Torah portion begins with such mundane and civil laws. These basic and functionary statutes form the concrete foundation and stability of living life as a Mentch. The spirituality, with time, thought, and study will come. 

But without being grounded you really have a castle built on thin air.

Shabbat Shalom

Are You Listening? - Yitro

Are You Listening?
Parshat Yitro

This week we read one of the most famous portions of the entire Torah. It is the portion of the "Aseret Hadibrot-Ten Commandments" and tells the story of the revelation of G-d Almighty at Mt. Sinai. It is the portion, of all all portions, which in essence, all other portions are connected to, by default.

The Parshah opens with the words "Vayshima Yitro-And Yitro, the priest of Midyan, the father-in-law of Moshe heard all that G-d had done for Moshe and the Jewish people, that Hashem had taken them out of Egypt".

What a verse! Jethro, a spiritual leader residing in one of the largest cities of the civilized world at that time, picked himself up and moved to the wilderness to be with the Jewish people. The question is, why would he do such a thing? He had power, fame, prestige, family and more. What compelled him to leave it all behind?

The Rashi commentary explains that Yitro was incredibly moved by (1) the story of the Exodus (2) the Splitting of Sea and (3) the war with Amalek. He saw G-d's providence and protection for His people. Yitro was inspired. He wanted to be part of this spiritual revelation. So he picked himself up and went to the desert of Sinai and became a Jew.

On a deeper level however, one may still wonder. There are inspiring and G-dly events all around us, yet, we don't just give up our lives to move to some far-remote desert to be inspired! What was it that touched Yitro so deeply?

Perhaps the answer lies in the first word of this week's portion, "VAYISHMA- and he HEARD".

How often do our spouses, children or co-workers speak to us, yet, we don't hear. Sometimes, we don't even listen. To hear something properly, is to allow the message and content, to enter our beings and consciousnesses and to become one with it. To really hear, is to become one with the thing that is heard.

Similarly. the most important prayer in Judaism has the same message. "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad". If we want to become one with G-d, we must listen first. Yitro, listened to the message of Hashem, and wanted to become one with it. Just as when one truly listens to a beautiful symphony-where their entire being becomes engulfed with the music and flow of the experience.

The key to becoming inspired is to listen. To really, really listen to the messages and miracles that are happening right under our very noses.

Shabbat Shalom.
May Hashem watch over His people Israel, and all peace loving citizens of the world.