ב"ה
Terumah 5765 - February 11, 2005
Relationships
Eight Degrees of Giving
Preserving the dignity of the receiver is a cornerstone of mitzvah of charity: Maimonides lists eight levels of giving, correlating to the degree to which the giver is sensitive to the needs and feelings of the recipient
Preserving the dignity of the receiver is a cornerstone of mitzvah of charity: Maimonides lists eight levels of giving, correlating to the degree to which the giver is sensitive to the needs and feelings of the recipient
Parshah
Terumah in a Nutshell
The Jews are commanded to gather materials for the building of the Tabernacle. Moses is given specific directions for its construction; it must be easy to dismantle and reassemble. The ark, the showbread table and the menorah, the tapestries, beam structure, etc., are described in detail.
The Jews are commanded to gather materials for the building of the Tabernacle. Moses is given specific directions for its construction; it must be easy to dismantle and reassemble. The ark, the showbread table and the menorah, the tapestries, beam structure, etc., are described in detail.
Unidolatry
When we would be at odds with G-d and He with us, the two angels would turn away from one another. But when the two of us would be in harmony, the temple priests would open the curtains and show us the two figurines entwined in embrace...
When we would be at odds with G-d and He with us, the two angels would turn away from one another. But when the two of us would be in harmony, the temple priests would open the curtains and show us the two figurines entwined in embrace...
Story
Somebody Else
Isn't that what happens every time we get angry -- at a stranger, at a friend, at a loved one? We're not truly angry at them, but at the person we think they are...
Isn't that what happens every time we get angry -- at a stranger, at a friend, at a loved one? We're not truly angry at them, but at the person we think they are...
A Home for G-d
The concept of dirah b'tachtonim ("a dwelling in the physical world") addresses the most basic questions of existence: What is our world? What is matter and physicality? What is holiness? What does G-d want of us? Why are we here?
The concept of dirah b'tachtonim ("a dwelling in the physical world") addresses the most basic questions of existence: What is our world? What is matter and physicality? What is holiness? What does G-d want of us? Why are we here?
Living
Winning the Battle but Losing the War
"I got my way in the end," a friend of mine announced proudly. "He'll never start with me again. Aren't you happy for me?"
"I got my way in the end," a friend of mine announced proudly. "He'll never start with me again. Aren't you happy for me?"
This is what man is all about; this is the purpose of His creation and of the creation of all the worlds, supernal and lowly - to make for G-d a dwelling in the physical world
— Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi
Print Magazine
It’s G-d’s world. Everything He gives is good, the sweetest good.
But it is often a good far too great for us to understand. We imagine it is not good, because that’s the only way to make sense of it with our small minds.
Yet the truth is, He gives us all the good we can handle. If we could take more, He would g...
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