Originally, the plan was that after Hashem revealed Himself on Har Sinai, He would permanently dwell in the heart and mind of every Jew. However, with the cheit ha’eigal, that plan fell through, and we became unworthy of housing the Divine inside of our bodies. We had become mortal once again and would now have to build a physical edifice for the Shechinah.
And so, in the beginning of this week’s parsha, Parshas Terumah, Hashem commands Moshe Rabbeinu to ask the Bnei Yisroel for the terumas haMishkan – the gifts that would be used in the building of the Shechinah’s earthly abode. Over the first several pesukim, the Torah elaborates on the various types of materials to be given. Gold, silver, copper, various yarns, linen and animal skins. Wood and oil and precious stones. But it is only in the eighth pasuk that the Torah finally tells us the purpose of these gifts: “V’asu li mikdash v’shochanti b’socham – They shall make Me a Sanctuary so that I may dwell among them.”
Why does the Torah first list the possible donations without telling us where these contributions will be going? It is as if we were asked to gather the ingredients of a recipe without first being told what food we were preparing to make. Shouldn’t the order have been reversed?
Rav Shneur Kotler zt’l explained that the opportunity of וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה – And they shall take to Me a portion (25:2), was an end unto itself – to give Bnei Yisroel a chance to express their nedivus halev, their generosity of heart, to Hashem. The next instruction, that of actually building the Mishkan, was yet another objective entirely! Rachmana liba ba’ei – Hashem wants our hearts first and foremost!
The pasuk here is intimating the purpose of the upcoming instruction, so that we first understand that more important than the gold and silver is the dedication of our hearts to Hashem. Thereby wholeheartedly giving away their valuable possessions, the Yidden proclaimed, in essence, that they realized that the sole purpose of having these riches and resources is to serve Hashem.
To take this idea even further, Rav Chaim Volozhiner zt’l in his sefer Nefesh HaChaim (Shaar 1:84) explains that just as the Mishkan, its measurements and its vessels were a microcosm of the world, so it is with a person. Each of our bones, limbs, tendons and nerves correspond to another aspect of Creation, and are precisely designed and arranged to draw down Hashem’s blessing and light.
The heart of a Jew, Rav Chaim tells us, corresponds to the Kodesh HaKodashim. This means that beating within each one of us exists Hashem’s very real dwelling place – our individual Kodshei Kodshim – that we must eternally work to dedicate to Him.
It is said that the eyes are the window to one’s soul, but today’s featured singer knows that the ears are the road to one’s heart. The title track of Eitan Katz’s 11th album, Truma – released in February 2022 – is proof that d’varim hayotzim min halev, nichnasim el halev. While each of the songs on the album has its own distinct flavor, they all clearly emanate from deep within the singer’s heart. It is no surprise, therefore, that they resonate so deeply within the heart of the listener.
Eitan says:
Truma is one of the most unique nigunim I’ve ever written. The first few pesukim of Parshas Terumah have always moved me, as it expresses Hashem’s desire to have us, the Jewish people, be part of the process of building His home in this world. I found it inspiring that Hashem didn’t just drop the Mishkan from the sky, but instead wanted us to be an active part of its construction. דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיִקְחוּ לִי תְּרוּמָה מֵאֵת כׇּל אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִדְּבֶנּוּ לִבּוֹ תִּקְחוּ אֶת תְּרוּמָתִי. And while choosing a title track is not always easy, this concept was very meaningful to me, and I felt that this album was my giving, my Truma.
Wishing you a very hearty Good Shabbos!
0 Comments