Parshat Terumah - Shabbat Torah Reading - Home of the Mishkan and Bet Hamikdash

Описание: This week’s Parshah reading is packed with information on the various components of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and what was to be featured in the Beit Hamikdash (Temple). There were hidden meanings to many of the components of the Tabernacle.

Hashem instructed Moshe to take the lead in constructing the Mishkan. There are two opinions as to when this took place, one view is after the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and another opinion is after the atrocious sin of the Golden Calf (featured in Parshat Ki Tisa). If we go by the latter view, this would teach us that the Torah doesn’t always follow chronological order (Gemara Pesachim 6b).

The Tabernacle was a place in which Hashem’s divine presence was to rest, a source of spiritual inspiration and an atmosphere of Fear of Hashem. By just observing the Kohanim performing the sacrificial services, each Jew was stimulated to increase Torah and Mitzvot.

Fifteen different materials were required in the construction of the Tabernacle, each for the various components. They were; Gold, Silver, Copper, Wool Dyed Sky Blue, Crimson Silk, Red Purple, Fine White Linen, Goats Hair, Rams skins dyed Red, Multi-Colored Tachash Skins (The Tachash was a multi-colored animal that appeared in the wilderness so that Israel could use its Hide for making tapestries of the Mishkan (Shabbat 28b)), Ceder Wood from Shittim Cedar (this material was used in atonement for the future transgression with Moabite girls (Bamidbar 25:1/9), where the transgression took place in the area called ‘Shittim’), Oil for the lighting of menorah and anointing future ‘Kings’ just as King David was anointed with oil by the Prophet Shmuel (Samuel 1 16:13), Spices for the incense service and the Shoham stones which were used for the breastplate of the Kohen Gadol (Shemot 25:3/8).

The first component of the Tabernacle I would like to discuss is the ‘Aron’ (the Ark)(Shemot 25:10), which represents the Torah. The Ark was to be made of Gold both inside and outside, to symbolize the actions of a perfect Jew, one that is rich in Good deeds and Torah. An individual that learns a lot of Torah should in turn allow it to infiltrate the way he acts and behaves with fellow human beings. The Torah is likened to Gold. Torah study is crucial and addictive, it leads to increased wisdom, knowledge and ultimately both fear and love of Hashem.

The ‘Bars’ of the Ark comprised of two staves with four rings. The four rings symbolize a Torah scholar; his Torah study, Good deeds, Mitzvot and Modesty.