"They shall make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell amidst them" (Exodus 25:8). The verse does not say, "and I will dwell within it," but "and I will dwell within them" -- within each and every one of them.
Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz, 1565-1630
Parashat Terumahcontains a blueprint for the construction of the tabernacle/sanctuary that our ancestors were instructed to build.Lots of detailed instruction! One question is: where can we find God among all of these details?
The work itself as well as the decorations and adornments were funded by the people who freely gave more than what was asked.What brought the Holy Presence of God into that space, that tent in the desert, was that everyone participated somehow withmoney, with handiwork, but also with their hearts. It was the collective sharing of hearts and souls that caused God's presence(theShechina)to live among the people and within every one. Still is!
A kavannah for Shabbat Terumah
As I light the Shabbat candles this week, may my mind and heart be open and aware of the many gifts I have received -but also of the many gifts I am capable of sharing. And may I do so....
Looking forward to sharing Torah Talk with you this Shabbat morning at 10:30 a.m. at a private home (RSVP and receive directionsbefore Shabbat) and Kabbalat Shabbat with you next Friday night the 23rd.
