Rabbi's Message Feb. 25 2025 - Terumah
Instruction Manual with Contribution
Shalom,
Lately, I have been yearning for an instruction manual. I fondly recall my grandfather, may his memory forever be a blessing, always reading instruction manuals. Whether it was the new desk and bunk beds from Room and Board we put together, or a new bicycle, we always began with the manual. Then, it was a bit annoying. For many experiences with my grandfather, we were doing household repairs, putting things together, and even taking them apart. And, we always began with the instruction manual.
I want an instruction manual for life at this moment. I want to have a guide to turn to in order to know. Whether it is parenting or in my professional roles, supporting my extended family from afar, or navigating through the strife in our world at this moment, a manual would serve me well. Yet, we know there is not a comprehensive guide to life. But, we do have volumes of our sacred literature to lean on, and perhaps there is guidance there.
This week in Torah, we are continuing our travels through the wilderness. Our forty year sojourn opens a new chapter this week in the building of the mishkan, the Tabernacle… something I always picture as a sanctuary on wheels. We are given an intricate instruction manual for this project. The overall goal, as we learn in Exodus 25:8, “Let them make for me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” It is about creating both physical and spiritual space in the community. We have all the details outlined in how it shall be constructed, what the adornments should be, and even the furnishings within.
This instruction manual is other-worldly, it is holy. It holds a magic ingredient to the recipe of this sacred construction project. The opening of the portion begins, “Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him.” (Exodus 25:2). This special ingredient is less about the items contributed to the project, and it is more about the hearts that are moved. You see, in order to tackle the challenges that life presents us with, we must be moved to construct a world in which God, Divine, Mystery of Creation, whatever it is one believes, may dwell among us.
When I yearn for those moments with my grandfather, I know that I am picturing an easier time, a time, perhaps, of innocence for me. And, I know that he was not only fixated on the manuals for their guidance, but to be that guidance for me. Our story, our rich tradition gives us guidance to build something grand together, a better world. It's up to us to discover how we are moved to contribute towards tomorrow.
Shavua Tov,
Rabbi Evon
