Table Talk

Terumah תרומה

My name is Chloe Benichou, and my name is Leora Bichachi. This week's parasha is Parashat Terumah.

In this parasha, ‘ה gives Moshe instructions on how to build the Mishkan. He orders Moshe to tell the People to donate items including copper; gold; silver; blue, purple, and crimson wool; linen and goat hair; ram skins dyed red; tachash skins, acacia wood; oil and spices. The tachash was a colorful animal that lived at that time, but is now extinct.

'ה gave very precise directions on the dimensions of the different parts of the Mishkan and how to assemble them. We wondered why 'ה gave such specific details.

I think it is because 'ה wants to make sure that generation after generation, we keep the same level of dedication in the way we celebrate keeping the mitzvot of the Torah. Without strict directions about the Mishkan, we would not have been able to later build the Beit Hamikdash, or Holy Temple, in Yerushalayim. Instead, we might have just made up our own rules, and this would be much less meaningful.

For example, if we did not have specific rules for Shabbat, everyone would be doing their own version of Shabbat. One might say: “On Shabbat, I will watch a movie about the Torah,” when another might say: “I will not watch TV on Shabbat. Instead, I will bake challah on Shabbat.” This would not be the Shabbat we know today.

בני ישראל gave as much as they could, and the result was a beautiful Mishkan. This parasha teaches us that even when you give a small amount, it can help create something wonderful. 'ה gave the people a choice. It was not mandatory to donate anything. In this parasha, it states: "כל איש אשר ידבנו לבו תקחו את-תרומתי" - "from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My offering".

Rashi also comments that the sentence "תרומה ויקחו-לי" - "take a portion for Me'' means that the offering should be made for 'ה only, and not because of social pressure or in a quest of honor. I think it means that no matter the amount of your contribution, if it comes from the heart, you should feel as good as anyone else about doing a mitzvah.

As Chloe said, each Jew gave what they could. It did not matter how much they contributed. It could have been one ring, or plenty of gold, but what matters is if it came from the heart.

Every time there is a disaster anywhere in the world, the country of Israel acts quickly. They donate money, they send firefighters, policemen, and ambulances to where the disaster happened. They always help out and give, just like their ancestors did with the Mishkan.

Even if you can only give a little, it can still make a difference. Say you donate a bit of money to plant a tree in Israel, give tzedakah, or give some toys and clothes to children in need. The small amount you give can help grow a forest, buy a meal for a homeless person, or put a smile on someone’s face.

About seven months ago, my hair was very long. I felt I had no need for it to be that long. I decided to donate my hair to children who had lost their hair. Before Shabbat started, my mom cut some of my hair off. We donated a foot in all! I felt so good about it. The hair I donated hopefully made a child who had lost their hair happy! Right now, I am planning to grow my hair out again, in the hopes of making another child happy.

As you can see, each and every one of the mitzvot we do can make a big difference!

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom!

Written by Leora Bichachi and Chloe Benichou (Grade 5)