This week’s parsha is Parsha Terumah. Parshat Terumah focuses on the detailed instructions and materials given to the Jewish people in order to build the Mishkan. Hashem commands the people to bring a "terumah," an offering of a portion of their possessions, to create a temporary home for Hashem.
Hashem commands the Jewish people to give money and other materials towards the construction of the Mishkan. He instructed the Jews to provide multiple kinds of materials such as gold, silver, copper, blue, purple, and crimson wool; linen and goat hair; red dyed ram skins; tachash skins; acacia wood; oil for lighting; and spices for the anointing oil and the incense.
Rashi has a fascinating question on this, though. If everything in this world truly belongs to Hashem, why does he need objects to be gifted to him? And on a similar note, why does he need a house to dwell in if He’s not a physical being?
Rashi answers his first question by explaining that when a Jew gives something to Hashem, it is not for their sake. Every mitzvah that the Jewish people do is not specifically for them, but rather for the name of Hashem. For instance, Tzedakah is not given just for the person who gave it to say that they gave tzedakah or to feel good about themselves-- Tzedakah is given to honor Hashem’s name and ultimately give Him credit for everything.
Furthermore, Rashi comments on the fact that Hashem doesn’t have a physical body, which leads to the question of why he is telling the Jewish people to make a place for Him to dwell in. It is the same concept: everything the Jewish people do should be for Hashem’s name. Therefore, the Mishkan was built in honor of the name of Hashem and to worship Him, not necessarily for Him to “live” there.
Overall, this demonstrates an important lesson: always have good intentions when doing mitzvot! If a mitzvah is not done in Hashem’s name, it might as well not be done at all if it comes out of selfish intentions. This should aspire us to continue to do mitzvot, as long as they are done for the right reasons.
Shabbat Shalom!
By: Emilie Bensoussan (10th)
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