ABRAHAM’S TENT: 5785: WEEK#21 Parshat Terumah: A PLACE FOR YOU AND G-D TO MEET.
This is the weekly portion read on the 20th week of the Torah cycle (5 books of Moses), for the week of February 23rd– March 1st, 2025 (Shevat 24th – Adar 1st)5785 .
If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me:
Rabbi John Ludemann, email: kolchesed@gmail.com
(Editor’s note: I've had a number of people ask “Why do you not spell out GOD’s Name?” The reason is that as observant Jews, we try to observe the third commandment (Exodus 20:7) ‘YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE LORD YOUR GOD’S NAME IN VAIN’.
The word in Hebrew for vain is “Shav” which means literally “commonplace” or “to throw away”. To prevent such an error, the custom is to drop the first vowel (G-D, L-RD,) or replace that name with the Hebrew phrase:
“The NAME” which is transliterated as “HaSHEM” or “HaShem”. It is a reminder of that third commandment and is in no way disrespecting theAlmighty Creator of the Universe.)
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This week we look at both a “Physical” Tent of Meeting and also a “personal place” to meet the Living G-D. This section is called Terumah/ “Offering” is Hebrew: (Exodus 25:1-27:19). It goes into great detail of how the space should be, and until Solomon’s building of the Temple, that tent was always amongst the people (Exodus 25:8, 29:45).
In fact, when Solomon, King of Israel wanted to build a Temple to HaShem, G-D, questioned its purpose. (“27 But will God really dwell on earth? Even the heavens to their uttermost reaches cannot contain You, how much less this House that I have built! JPS 2023) Even though we have no temple at this time, the action of creating a ‘sacred space’ to encounter the Almighty is available to us at any time. In last week’s portion, in Yitro, HaShem approaches the entire community of Israel and begins to speak to them directly. Yet, their “slave mentality” resists approaching G-D directly and places Moses as their “go between”, not because they weren’t ready, but because they didn’t want the responsibility (Exodus 20:18-19):
“18 So the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God
was. 19 יהוה said to Moses: Thus shall you say to the Israelites: You yourselves saw that I spoke to you from the very heavens:”: JPS 2023
The purpose was and is always to be an encounter with the living G-D. 95% of the 613 Commandments have to do with our relationship with one another, the planet and the creatures living on this planet. The further away we move the Living G-D from us, to priests, prophets, temple, a rabbi, the more we take responsibility away from ourselves, and become “enslaved” to a religion, instead of a relationship with all the responsibilities that come with it
Now, don’t get me wrong, Rabbis and other leaders are there to guide us and teach us. Yet, we must take on the responsibility to learn and observe what we’ve been taught with awareness.
We should have a sacred space in our home, and our community.
A space where we meet HaShem face to face – for Isaiah 66: 1-3 speaks plainly:
“1. Thus said GOD: The heaven is My throne And the earth is My footstool: Where could you build a house for Me, What place could serve as My abode?
2. All this was made by My hand, And thus it all came into being
—declares GOD.
Yet to such a one I look: To the poor and brokenhearted,
Who is concerned about My word.
3. As for those who slaughter oxen and slay humans,
Who sacrifice sheep and immolate dogs,
Who present as oblation the blood of swine,
Who offer incense and worship false gods— Just as they have chosen their ways And take pleasure in their abominations,
4. So will I choose to mock them,
To bring on them the very thing they dread. For I called and none responded,
I spoke and none paid heed.
They did what I deem evil And chose what I do not want.
5. Hear the word of GOD, You who are concerned about God’s word!
Your own kindred who hate you,
Who spurn you because of Me, are saying, “Let GOD manifest the divine Presence, So that we may look upon your joy.” But theirs shall be the shame.” JPS 2023
The points and commandments in Parshat Terumah are not to make a “really cool tent” - instead its purpose is to encourage us to approach HaShem and become co-creators in this place of G-D.
To put back what has been broken by our ancestors and ourselves, to make a world of peace.
The work is up to us to fix, all we have to do is step forward.
Next Week: Tetzaveh: A Commandment to do your best.
