TERUMA

CHODESH TOV!!!!!!!  MISHENICHNAS ADAR MARBIM BESIMCHA! :-)

PARSHAT TERUMAH

PARSHA POINTS:

·        The parasha elaborates on Hashem's command to Moshe to build the Mishkan.

·  Hashem tells Moshe to tell Bnei Yisrael to bring "trumot" (donations) in order to build the Mishkan. Every Jew should bring just what they are able to bring.

·  Afterwards, the Torah gives exact instructions how to build the Mishkan and its "keilim" (vessels)- Aron Hakodesh, Kaporet, the Shulchan, the Menorah, the Clothes which will cover the Mishkan, the wooden Planks used to build the Mishkan, the Parochet, and the Mizbeach HaNechoshet.

SHABBAT IMABBA:

Here is a great way for my father and I to learn a little bit of Parsha each week, even though we live far from each other.
( I like the play on words of Abba in the word Shabbat and bat (daughter...) and Imabba meaning "with Abba" and Ima Abba written together!  Thanks Abba and Ima :-)

This week's Parsha starts out by saying that Hashem told Moshe to tell Bnei Yisrael "Vayikchu li teruma”- And let them take for Me an offering.

The ALSHUCH asks, why does the parsha begin with the words take for me a teruma when it should have said,  give for me a teruma. The explanation is that  the person who gives tzedaka gets a lot more than if he receives. 

We can learn from here that a person who gives tzedaka will be matzliach.  He will have שפע, ברכה והצלחה.   The gematria of those three words equals Vayikchu li truma.

In Perek 25/18 the Torah tells us about the keruvim. According to Rashi, these keruvim had the face of a baby.  In Bereishit 3/24 it also talks about the keruvim when Hashem took Adam out of Gan Eden.  There it states that they were angels of destruction.
The question is, what were these Kruvim?  Were they beautiful angels or angels of destruction?  We can learn from here that the environment can strongly influence the actions of children.  If children are sent to good schools and they see positive influences at home, they can hopefully turn into beautiful angels.  If they are in a bad environment, they can turn into angels of destruction.

PARSHA PUZZLE:

 Hashem spoke to Moshe in this week’s Parsha,

And asked that Bnei Yisrael bring a truma.

Each person should bring what his heart desired,

There was no specific amount that was required.

Anything they give would be perfect, just right,

Gold, brass, silver, or oil for the light.

Skin of ram dyed red, skins of seals, acacia wood,

Everyone contributed whatever they could.

Scarlet yarn, fine linen, goats hair that was great,

And onyx stones for the eifod and for the breastplate.

Or incense of spices and oil for anointing,

These are ideas of what they could bring.

They could contribute one thing, they could bring more.

Do you know what they needed all of these things for?

There is a famous quote that Hashem does guarantee,

“I will dwell amongst you if you make this for me”.

Can you find this pasuk, can you say it out loud?

You know this week’s riddle and I am so proud.

PLAYING WITH THE PARSHA:

This week’s parsha we learned in detail how the Bnei Yisrael were supposed to build the Mishkan.  We learn how they built the kruvim (Cherubs).  And the Kruvim  shall stretch out their wings on high... and their faces shall look one to another (Terumah-25:20)

When Bnei Yisroel fulfilled Hashem’s commands, the Kruvim would face each other; and when Bnei Yisroel did not fulfill Hashem’s commands, the Kruvim would face the walls of the room..

Have 2 players sit back to back each holding a doll or a stuffed animal.  Tell some things about yourself that are true or false.  Have each player face the doll towards them if they think it is true or away from them if they think it is false.  Have them look at each other’s dolls to see if they have the right answer.  Talk about the kruvim and how they faced each other or turned away from each other. 

  This weeks parsha talks about lechem hapanim.  Why not set some time to bake Challot with your kids.  You could have them help you roll it, knead it, separate the challa and glaze it.  They will be proud of their accomplishments at the Shabbat table.  

·        This week’s parsha talks about the ability of giving something that is yours to someone else.  Give Tzedaka with your kids this week.  Go through their closet and let them pick something they do don’t wear anymore and give it to a poor person.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

 Kruvim:

What you will need:

1.     A small rectangular cake

2.     Pipe cleaners

3.     2 plastic babies

4.     Marshmallows

5.     Long candy sticks

6.     Frosting

·        Frost the rectangular cake.

·        Place the pipe cleaners on each end of the cake.

·        Stick the candy sticks through the pipe cleaners.

·        Place the 2 babies on top, facing each other.

·        Stick the marshmallows with marshmallow fluff to hold in place.

 

Menorah:

What you will need:

·        Gold round candies

·        Flower looking candies

·        Button looking candies

Design the menorah out of the candies.  Gold colored candies work best.

Lechem Hapanim:

What you will need:

1.     Cookie dough

2.     Sprinkles

·   Divide the cookie dough into twelve balls.

· Braid each cookie dough.

· Sprinkle brown and or white sprinkles on top to look like seeds.

·  Bake and then place it in a rectangular tray- 4 rows of 3.

Cookie Dough:

Ingredients

    * 1 1/2 cups margarine, softened

    * 2 cups white sugar

    * 4 eggs

    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    * 5 cups flour

    * 2 teaspoons baking powder

    * 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1.     In a large bowl, cream together margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Divide the cookie dough into twelve balls. Braid each cookie dough.

Sprinkle brown and or white sprinkles on top to look like seeds.

2.     Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

3.     Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Place in a rectangular tray- 4 rows of 3. 

Thought of the week:

The Midrash teaches us that when the Shechina of Hashem descended to "dwell" in the Mishkan, it was the first time that the Schechina dwelled in this world since the sin of Eytz Hada'at. The Midrash also teaches us that when Hashem would speak to Moshe, the "voice" of Hashem would descend from the heaven and project from between the two Kruvim. It is truly inspiring to know that the vessels and Mishkan, all man made objects, were raised from the mundane to the highest levels of holiness. Similarly, the Nefesh Hachayim teaches us that our mitzvoth can ascend to reach even the loftiest of spiritual worlds. Conversely, the Nefesh Hachayim also teaches that when Titus defiled the physical Beit Hamikdash, he was only able to do so because the Jews had already defiled the spiritual Beit Hamikdash with their sins. Man has the ability of reaching the highest spiritual levels or to defile them. If we set our minds to it, our Torah and Mitzvot can rebuild the spiritual Beit Hamikdash which will be quickly followed with the physical Beit Hamikdash as well.     

  Answer to parsha puzzle: 
(The Bnei Yisrael were bringing all these items to build the mishkan.  “Veasu li mikdash veshachanti betocham”.)    
             Enjoy!  Have a great Shabbat!

                               Ruchie