L'David Newssheet - Parasha Terumah 5781

Parshas Terumah

L’Dovid Mizmor

5781

ISSUE 2

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Translated and edited by S. Hirsch For any questions, call 07858361928 This issue has been sponsored: Mazel Tov to Family

‫ ברוך דוד הכהן בערגער‬on the birth of their son!

‫תרומה‬

The First step to Connect ‫ ְּבנֵּי י ִש ְָּראֵּל ְּוי ִ ְּקחּו לִי תְּ רּומָ ה‬-‫דַ בֵּר אֶל‬ Donating only ‫לשמה‬ As we begin the ‫סדרה‬, the first point which needs our attention, is what the word ‫ לי‬is telling us. Because, as we know, everything belongs to the ‫רבש''ע‬. So, what exactly are we achieving, and what is Hashem stressing by saying “‫ – ויקחו לי‬and they shall take for me”? Surely, we are not presenting Hashem with anything He didn’t have originally. So what is the nature of these words, and the accompanying ‫?מצוה‬ ‫רש''י‬, as explained by the ‫ גור אריה‬immediately addresses this point, and tells us that indeed, the simple translation, is not the meaning.

So what does it mean? “‫ – ויקחו לי תרומה‬and you shall take with the intent and purpose of Me.” Meaning, that the separation and donation to the ‫ משכן‬was to be ‫לשמה‬.

The problem arises, when we remember the famous quote of ‫( רב יהודה‬:‫ )פסחים נ‬,‫לעולם יעסוק אדם בתורה ובמצות שלא לשמה‬ ‫ !שמתוך שלא לשמה בא לשמה‬A person should endeavour to perform the ‫ תורה‬not being ‫לשמה‬. And then through that grow to ‫לשמה‬.

Why then, is the donating to the ‫ משכן‬different? Why the necessity for ‫?לשמה‬

However, the ‫ מהר''ל‬makes the following observation.

This ‫ תרומה‬of the ‫ משכן‬collection is unique, and unlike the other two. In the fact that regarding the others, we find no indication that they had to be done with “‫”נדיבות לב‬, heartfelt generosity. However, this instance of donation was to be done wholeheartedly.

And of course, we have to understand; why indeed was this necessary here? Why wholeheartedly?

We Force for ‫מחצית השקל‬ The third question, is from a ‫)הלכות שקלים פ''א הל''ט( רמב''ם‬ where he paskens that for the annual ‫ מחצית השקל‬we can use means and methods of force to get someone to donate his half ‫שקל‬.

But why was this one not taken by force too?

The Rov’s ‫משלוח מנות‬ The Dubno Maggid, in his inimitable way brings a ‫משל‬, with which we can understand the theme presented in the ‫פסוקים‬: There was a large town which was led by one Rov. The Rov had good property investments and was extremely well-to-do.

Donations only heartfelt Our second point to address, is the following; ‫רש''י‬ mentions two other “‫ ”תרומות‬that were given, as described elsewhere in the ‫תורה‬.

In this town lived a fellow, who, like the Rov, was very wealthy. But he was as stingy as he was rich. He was the classic miser.

Purim came around, and as was customary, all the townspeople presented their personal ‫ משלוח מנות‬to their

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beloved Rov. Each one he accepted with delight, and ‫ ברכות‬They had shown their deep longing for a closeness with to the giver. the ‫בורא עולם‬. They had symbolised their love.

And this miser, feeling he had no choice, since after all; he was part of town, also wrapped up a nice arrangement and went over to the house of the Rov, and with a heavy heart to part with his precious money, handed it to him.

But strangely enough, the Rov took it and returned it right back!

The man was flabbergasted!

And now, forever more, we can know that the innermost feelings of a Jew are ones of closeness and yearning for the ‫ קשר‬with The ‫רבש''ע‬. And however much they may hide it, by refusing to give half a ‫שקל‬, it’s there. Deep in their heart.

Buying ‫?מצות‬

“Ahem,” he coughed. “my dear Rov. I realise that you And this can all be summed up by a wonderful piece from must know that my intentions aren’t the greatest. ‫ר' אהרן קוטלר‬.

“But I don’t understand! Why don’t you take it anyway? The ‫ פסוק‬says (‫ ח‬,‫”חכם לב יקח מצות“ )משלי י‬, where the word After all, I was ‫ מקיים‬the ‫ מצוה‬of ‫משלוח מנות‬. So why don’t ‫ יקח‬means to buy. Asks R’ Aharon, we buy ‫ ?מצות‬We do you accept my ‫ משלוח מנות‬regardless of my intent?” ‫ !מצות‬What is the meaning of the ‫?פסוק‬ The Rov replied with a smile beneath his white beard, “You’re right. You were indeed ‫ מקיים‬the ‫מצוה‬.

The Influence of a ‫מצוה‬ “ But tell me something; what do I need everyone’s And the answer is, a ‫ מצוה‬is a symbol of our love to the presents for? I have plenty of my own money! ‫רבש''ע‬, it isn’t merely the plain act of shaking ‫ לולב‬or eating “The answer is, that the idea of ‫ משלוח מנות‬is to symbolise ‫ ;מצה‬rather it’s an act that shows the true feelings of a Yid. the connection we have, the love of one another, our ‫אחדות‬ and friendship. It isn’t just a monetary assistance. No no But even more than that; it increases our bond, and deepens our connection with ‫ !הקב''ה‬That is the essence of no, it’s a sign and symbol of friendship and loyalty. a ‫מצוה‬.

“So really, the ‫ משלוח מנות‬is totally dependent on your intentions and thoughts. Because all it is, is a token of So, yes, we are doing the ‫מצוה‬. But just the action is a small part of it. But through the action, we can profit friendship. tremendously; we are showing the true feelings inside of “So for everyone else’s, my acceptance showed my return us, and making them stronger! So the ‫ מצות‬are, in effect, a of friendship. As far as yours goes, all it is, is some ‘stuff’. great buy!

I don’t need ‘stuff’; I have plenty of my own. Take it back.”

Make The First Move '‫ ה‬Doesn’t need our ‘stuff’

What do we learn from this?

Says the Dubno Maggid; ‫ הקב''ה‬owns the universe. He doesn’t need my silver; He doesn’t lack your gold. Why then, does He want a donation? For us. For us to show our love, to strengthen our bond and to deepen our connection.

A ‫ איד‬does the first move, if we do that first jump, already we have shown the desire for a connection. Once we show our willingness, the road becomes clearer, Hashem helps us travail the difficulties, and guides us!

It is the symbol of dedication. So by definition, it had to be As is the famous quote from ‫ “ חז''ל‬,‫פסחו לי פסח כפסחו של מחט‬ given with free will! To force someone to give a gift of ‫ ”!ואני אפתך לך פסח כפסחו של אולם‬Open up for [my ‫ מצות‬a willingness] like the prick of a needle, and I’ll enlarge it to love makes it totally meaningless. the size of a hall.

The Outpour and Outcome And in fact, ‫ כלל ישראל‬came to give; and didn’t stop! ‫משה‬ had to command them to stop the outpour!

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~ !‫~ א גוט שבת‬