March 1, 2025 · ראש חודש אדר תשפ״ה
Parashat Terumah · פרשת תרומה
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA This week’s parsha, Terumah, is all about a very special project—the building of the Mishkan, the holy place where Hashem’s presence would rest among the Jewish people! Hashem tells Moshe to collect donations from Bnei Yisrael, and every person who wants to give can bring something to help build the Mishkan. The donations included gold, silver, copper, colorful wool, fine linen, animal skins, wood, oil for the menorah, spices for incense, and precious gems. These materials would be used to make all the different parts of the Mishkan and its special holy objects. Hashem gives Moshe exact instructions as to how to build each part of the Mishkan. The first and most
ONE BIG IDEA In Parshat Terumah, Hashem tells Bnei Yisrael: "Ve’asu Li mikdash v’shachanti b’tocham"—"Make for Me a holy place, and I will dwell among them.". Why does it say in “them” and not in “it?” Isn’t it referring to the Mishkan? What it means is that Hashem doesn’t just live in one building—He wants to be close to each of us! When we do mitzvot, learn Torah, and treat others with kindness, we make a "mini-Mishkan" in our hearts. Just like Bnei Yisrael worked together to build the Mishkan, we can build a special place for Hashem in our lives by doing good deeds every day!
important item was the Aron (ark), which held the Luchot of the Torah. The Aron was made of wood and covered in gold, and it had a golden crown around it. On top of the Aron was the Kaporet, a gold covering with two Keruvim (cherubs)—angel-like figures with wings facing each other. Hashem’s voice would speak to Moshe from between the Keruvim. Next, Hashem describes the Shulchan (Table), which was made of gold and held the Lechem HaPanim (Showbread)—twelve special loaves of bread that stayed fresh all week! The Menorah, a beautiful golden lamp with seven branches, was also in the Mishkan. Every night, the Kohanim would light the Menorah to spread its holy light. The Mizbe’ach (Altar) was used for offering korbanot (sacrifices) to Hashem. There was a Mizbe’ach HaNechoshet (Copper Altar) for animal sacrifices outside the Mishkan and a Mizbe’ach HaZahav (Golden Altar) inside for burning incense. The Mishkan itself was made of wooden beams and colorful curtains, creating a special and holy space. The inside of the Mishkan was divided into two sections: the Kodesh (Holy Place) and the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies), where only the Kohen Gadol could enter on Yom Kippur.
TIMES - זמנים Candle-lighting: 5:27pm Havdalah: 6:24pm allah: 5:25pm