Parshas Terumah 5765

G-d instructed Moshe about the construction of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. This was an opportunity for the people to create a dwelling place for G-d's presence to rest amongst them. The commentaries point out that prior to the sin of the Golden Calf this would not have been necessary, as the people themselves would be a repository for His presence. Only after the sin did they have to build a dwelling place for G-d's presence.

The donation of materials for the Mishkan also served as an atonement for the donations of gold that were used to build the Golden Calf. The Mishkan was designed to be easily assembled and disassembled in order for it to remain portable. The Mishkan accompanied the Jews for over five hundred years, from the forty years in the desert until King Solomon built the First Temple.

Materials were collected for the various vessels needed in the Mishkan. The Ark, or Aron, was made from wood, covered on the outside and inside with gold. The ark was placed in the Holy of Holies, the innermost section of the Mishkan. The Torah and the tablets of the Ten Commandments were kept in the ark. A Shulchan, or table, also made of wood and covered with gold, held twelve specially shaped breads. These breads remained on the table throughout the week, and were changed each Shabbos. An elaborate Menorah was carved of pure gold. The Menorah was kindled each night and remained lit until morning. Two Mizbeichos, or altars, were also built. The one outside the Mishkan was made of wood and covered with copper. This was used for offering sacrifices. Another one, inside the Mishkan, was made from wood and covered with gold. That altar was used to burn incense. A copper basin, the Kiyor, was also needed for the kohanim, the priests, to wash their hands and feet before their service.

Each one of these vessels also represented some element of G-d's relationship with the Jewish people in particular, and the world in general. The Aron represented Torah, the Shulchan represented material success, and so on. By donating the materials, and building all the vessels needed for the Mishkan, the people would ensure G-d's continued influence.

"...from every man whose heart motivates him you shall take My portion." (Ex. 25:2)

When the Chafetz Chaim was raising funds for a new building for his yeshiva, a wealthy supporter offered to underwrite the entire expense. The Chafetz Chaim refused him, saying, "Although I truly appreciate your offer, I cannot accept it. Every Jew must have a part in building Torah and it would not be fair for one individual to keep the merit for himself. That is why the Torah emphasizes that Moshe was to take from every Jew who was motivated to give, although it would have been easier to approach a few wealthy people to fund the Tabernacle."

Did You Know...

A person should be careful to show the proper respect for mitzvah objects. For example, one may not wear a tallis or a pair of tzitzis inside out. Even if it could be worn either way, once it is worn one way, it may not be reversed.

Similarly, a tallis may not be worn upside-down. It is for this reason some have the custom to sew a decorative strip across the head of the tallis, called an atara, to differentiate between the top and bottom. Other opinions discourage sewing a fancy atara, as it implies that the main part of the tallis is that which covers the head, when the main part is really that which covers the majority of the body, and not merely the head.

A head covering does not require tzitzis, even if it has four corners.