Trumah 2022
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2022
The Jews accepted the Torah at the end of last week’s Parsha declaring “Naaseh Venishmah” – “We will do and we will hear”. They were immediately rewarded in Parshat Trumah with the opportunity to build the Holy Tabernacle. – (Seder Eliyahu Raba – Chapter 17)
The next five Parshiyot are for the most part a description of the building and furnishing of God’s earthly home. The implication of the above quoted Midrash is that God will only occupy that home if we agree to fulfill our commitment; “to do and to hear”! The holy vessels and the accoutrements can be understood to represent essential principles that we need to adhere to in order to have God “In our midst”.
At the heart of God’s home on earth, in the most holy room, is the Holy Ark. It contains the written Torah both in the short and long forms. As such the Holy Ark represents the most fundamental obligation incumbent on our people. The study of the Torah is at the heart of the Mishkan and therefore at the heart of all that we must do.
The Holy Table – Shulchan represents the family table. The Jewish table must be a place of holiness. This can be understood in all its ramifications and implications. The food that is placed upon our table must fulfill a series of detailed rules and regulations. If it is earth based then it must be tithed. If animal based it must be from permitted animals and undergo a stringent series of preparations before we may partake. Food must be Kosher and, dare I suggest, healthy. It should be eaten in moderation with sensitivity to the poor and to the environment. All these requirements are reflected in the Shulchan- the Holy Table.
A Jew must be a light to the nations. This is reflected in the Menorah. We need to reflect the beauty and holiness of being God’s chosen people outwards.
We need to include all our people and practice with joy. This can be reflected in the inner golden altar – Mizbeach Hazahav where spices of many types (even some less pleasant) were burned each day.
The outer Holy Altar is often referred to as “God’s Table”. Each sacrifice offered upon His table represents a particular life experience. We share our joy and our thanks by offering a Peace or Thanksgiving offering -Todah or Shlamim. We share our despair and our contrition with a Burnt or Sin offering. Olah or Chatat. We recognize God’s eternal presence in all our daily lives, in joy and in sorrow all at the Holy Altar.
We may stumble and fall but, if we stick to these principles, we will have God in our midst.
May it be so.
Dedicated to the memory of Joel Shulman A’H