This week's 10-Minute Torah (February 5, 2022): "Parashat Terumah" 5782

https://youtu.be/RoRbbxfN2vY

Parashat Terumah 5782 / פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה

Read on 5 February 2022 / 4 Adar I 5782.

Parashat Terumah is the 19th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.

Torah Portion: Exodus 25:1-27:19 https://tikkun.io/#/r/2-25-1

Parashat Terumah tells of God's instructions to make the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

Triennial year 3

1: 26:31-33 · 3 p’sukim ·

2: 26:34-37 · 4 p’sukim ·

3: 27:1-3 · 3 p’sukim ·

4: 27:4-8 · 5 p’sukim ·

5: 27:9-12 · 4 p’sukim ·

6: 27:13-16 · 4 p’sukim ·

7: 27:17-19 · 3 p’sukim ·

maf: 27:17-19 · 3 p’sukim ·

Haftarah: I Kings 5:26-6:13 · 20 p’sukim

Parashat Terumah tells of the building of the Tabernacle. Here we are given the measurements for not just the outer coverings, but also the inner furnishings. Besides the actual structure, we are commanded to make the table for the bread that is baked weekly, the menorah with its six branches and center, and the Ark that will house the tablets of the Ten Commandments. While the actual dimensions are given, there is some detail that is not specified that has prompted different interpretations from our sages.

The idea of a meeting place, while at first seeming like a basic need, invites consideration. Why do we need a place a “meet” Hashem? After all, G-d is an incorporeal Being whose nature is ineffable, or beyond our human comprehension.

Consider that the purpose is more for us humans, material beings that reside in space and time. Hashem does not. But like a good parent, G-d wants to nurture us and so relates to us on our level of existence. By serving Hashem we indeed serve ourselves spiritually. Our ritual practices remind us to be holy by the covenant and practicing the mitzvot. This mikdash becomes our sacred space where we can avoid the rigors of life and delve into our sacred spiritual essence. This, then, allows us to grow into spiritually fulfilled beings ourselves.