TERUMAH (Offering)

The Torah is lifted in Congregation Dorshei Emet (Seekers of Truth Synagogue) in Quebec, Canada.

Shabbat Shalom!

Welcome to Terumah (Offering), this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion).

We know that you will be blessed as you study with us this portion of Torah that will be read during this week’s Shabbat (Saturday) service in synagogues around the world. Enjoy!

TERUMAH (Offering)

Exodus 25:1–27:19; 1 Kings 5:26–6:13; Hebrews 9:1–28

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering [terumah]. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.’” (Exodus 25:1–2)

Torah scroll

Last week in Parasha Mishpatim, God gave to the Israelites about 53 mitzvot (laws) out of the 613 commandments. These laws included the treatment of parents, slaves, and foreigners, as well as other people’s property.

The title of this week’s Torah reading, Terumah (תְּרוּמָה), is taken from a Hebrew word meaning offering, gift, or contribution. In this Parasha, the Lord commands Moses to take up a free will offering from the people of Israel in order to build a sanctuary in the wilderness.

This sanctuary, called the Mishkan, was meant to be a visible reminder for the people of God’s holy Presence that dwelt among them.

The offerings that the people were asked to bring included precious metals and stones, fine linens, animal skins, wood, oil for the lamps, and fragrant spices for the incense.

The Mishkan in the Wilderness (Bible Primer)

The Lord instructed Moses to take an offering only from those who gave “willingly and from their heart.”

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Because of our sinful nature, we tend to be selfish and seek for what we can receive; but the Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

The truth of the matter is that when we give, especially toward the work of the Lord, we receive back so much more than what we have given.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

Malachi 3:10 emphasizes the principle that no one can out give the Lord
and that He will pour out blessings when you give to Him.

Building the Sanctuary

“And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.” (Exodus 25:8–9)

The Israelites were to make a Sanctuary for God’s Presence, as well as all of its furnishings. They were not to be made according to any design they imagined, but only according to God’s specific blueprint, which He showed Moses on the mountain.

“And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” (Exodus 25:40)

This wilderness Sanctuary was a copy of the actual Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven. (Revelation 15:5)

One very special furnishing in the Tabernacle was the Aron HaBrit (אָרוֹן הַבְּרִית or Ark of the Covenant), which was to be made out of acacia wood covered with gold. In it, the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments were to be laid.

According to the Book of Hebrews in the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant or New Testament), it also contained a golden pot with the manna that came down from heaven as well as Aaron’s rod that budded.

However, it is written in the Book of Kings that at the time of King Solomon, the Ark only contained the two stone Tablets. (1 Kings 8:9)