ב”ה

Sh’vat 30, 5780
February 25, 2020

What do we gain by reading a detailed description about the building of the Mishkan, a structure which no longer exists? In fact, we can learn a number of important life lessons and principles from the building of the Mishkan, such as a life of Terumah, a life of giving.

This week’s parsha speaks about goodwill, love, and generosity.

“דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו לי תרומה מאת כל איש אשר ידבנו לבו תקחו את תרומתי”
“Speak to Bnei Yisrael and they will take for Me a contribution from every person whose heart volunteers him, take My contribution.”

The commentators ask: why does Hashem need us to contribute to the Mishkan? Hashem doesn’t need us to build something, or to give our money for it. Hashem needs us to care and get involved, to give our hearts and minds. The opportunity to contribute is a very valuable one, especially coming as it does in sefer Shmot: this time in the desert is our opportunity to be educated as a nation before entering the Land of Israel. Now, a people who used to be slaves are able to express how free they truly are, by giving freely of what is theirs, according to their own judgement, choice, and generosity.

The parsha talks about nedivut lev, generosity of heart – this could mean being generous with one’s money, or one’s body (by offering a helping hand or a listening ear), or one’s mind.

It is a very timely parsha to read as we enter the month of Adar, and prepare for Purim. Purim, too, is a holiday all about giving, with the mitzvot of Matanot La’Evyonim and Mishloach Manot, gifts to the poor and sending packages of food to our friends. Purim is a holiday of community building.

At Associated, we are very excited to greet the new month of Adar. We will honour the spirit of giving that is present in Purim with our upcoming Day of Giving on March 4, and our classes are already preparing for Purim celebrations with great enthusiasm and joy in our hearts.

There is a famous line in Parashat Terumah:

“ועשו לי מקדש ושכנתי בתוכם”
“And they shall make for Me a Sanctuary, and I will dwell within them.”

Building the Mishkan is not about making a physical house for God; rather, in working to build the Mishkan, we make a place for Hashem to dwell within each and every one of us. We put our whole soul into it, and, in so doing, we make a Mishkan in our hearts.

This Adar, we celebrate our AHS community and the many ways in which we come together, with generosity of heart, building something greater than ourselves. We integrate all that we do into our hearts. We make a sanctuary in a place where Hashem will dwell.

Chodesh Tov!

Ora Shulman
Head of School