Parashat Terumah: God is in this Place
If we recap the last few weeks’ portions, we’ve:
- witnessed the ten plagues
- been freed from slavery
- crossed through the Sea of Reeds on dry land
- journeyed towards Mt. Sinai
- received the Ten Commandments
- learned other ethical and legal commandments
And, now, it is time to start creating the holy space in which we will worship God, who made all these things possible. Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19) begins by instructing all whose hearts are so moved to bring gifts to the priests. These gifts will be collected and used towards the building of the Tabernacle.
The Tabernacle is a critical part of the development of our ritual life – it is going to be unlike any other location. Why? Because, as the text tells us,
וְעָ֥שׂוּ לִ֖י מִקְדָּ֑שׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֖י בְּתוֹכָֽם׃
And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.
(Exodus 25:8)
This is a concept which has always intrigued and challenged me. How is it that God will dwell there? And what does that “dwelling” mean, feel, or look like? Likewise, does it imply that God does not dwell elsewhere?
Additionally, why is the text so specific about what needs to be brought to create this holy space? And what happens if we are unable to bring material gifts to support the creation of the sanctuary?
We have discussed holiness before, and what makes something holy or profane. I find myself wondering – what makes all of these items (acacia wood, crimson yarns, dolphin skins, etc.) somehow holier than other items that might have been utilized?
Not surprisingly, our Haftarah portion (I Kings 5:26-6:13) focuses on the building of Solomon’s Temple (around 970 BCE). We are reminded once again that God will dwell within it:
וְשָׁ֣כַנְתִּ֔י בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹ֥א אֶעֱזֹ֖ב אֶת־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
I will abide among the children of Israel, and I will never forsake My people Israel. (I Kings 6:13)
We see the easy as well as profound parallels between the Tabernacle and the Temple.
We’ll ponder these questions and many more during our study tomorrow. I look forward to it!
Shabbat Shalom.
