Parashat Teruma
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Synopsis
Parashat Teruma is about the making of the Mikdash (sanctuary) whilst they are still wandering in the Sinai desert. Moses instructs all of the Israelites to bring a gift for the building of the sanctuary. God said to Moses “And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” Instructions for the building of the sanctuary are highly detailed including size, shape and specific materials to be used for different things.
Themes
1) The Function of the Mikdash
2) The Specific Nature of the Details
The Function of the Mikdash
Before the Mikdash prayer will have been done any where but now there was a place for “God to dwell.” This was a place for the Israelites to get in touch with there spirituality and reflect. It was the embodiment of a community sentiment a place where people could gather and feel good and relaxed. Where is your Mikdash? Do you have a place which fulfils these requirements for you. For most of the history of Judaism right up to the present for a lot of people the synagogue has been this place for them and can be seen as the obvious evolution from the Mikdash. Interestingly enough a lot of Jews today particularly in Israel have reverted to pre-Mikdash ways and no longer use a formal, permanent gathering point to celebrate their Judaism. Try and find your place wherever it may be.
The Specific Nature of the Details
Why were the details of the Mikdash laid out so specifically? How could it possibly matter what size certain things were or what colour the curtains for the holy of holies was, surely it’s the meaning behind it that’s important. There are several different reasons given by many commentators as to why there are specifics. For example a lot of the specific details are looked at as metaphors including the use of pure gold for the menorah as being a symbol of being wary of impure ideas. Specific details for places of spirituality are used in a lot of cultures most famously in China with the use of Feng Shui so perhaps these details are more conducive to the atmosphere they were intended to engender. Needless to say enivronment is important so think about your environment that you create for your self and whether it helps you or hinders you.
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