Salvation in Judaism is About Losing Ourselves in The Welfare of The Whole and Making a Difference in The Lives of Others

“Salvation in Judaism is about losing ourselves in the welfare of the whole and making a difference in the lives of others.”  Dr. Ismar Schorsch, former Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary

We concluded last week with the acceptance of Gods laws and ordinances by the Israelites.  “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” Ex 24:7 Now, the Children of Israel are invited to build a tabernacle. As anyone who has ever tried to start a shul will tell you, first you need a building fund!

God speaks to Moses and tells him to “Speak to the Israelites and have them bring me an offering.  Take my offering from everyone whose heart moves him or her to give.”  This offering is for the purpose of building a Mishkan, a tabernacle, a portable dwelling place for God that the Israelites will carry through the desert.  

There are many kinds of offerings in the Torah. In our post-Temple world we glaze over at descriptions of “wave offerings,” “guilt offerings,” “meal offerings” and the litany of roasted animal parts for various offenses. However this week’s Torah portion, Terumah, speaks of a different kind of offering.  Terumah means “a free-will offering,” a positive offering to God, literally “a gift.”

God gives Moses his shopping list for the structure as well as detailed plans for each object that will be in the Mishkan.  And what a shopping list…gold, silver, copper, as well as the kinds and colors of fabric needed to make the tent and clothing for Aaron the High Priest, and precious and semi-precious stones needed for Aaron’s breastplate. 

Now remember, these are the same Israelites who have been “kvetching” ever since they left Egypt!   Can you imagine what it must have been like getting them to give up the precious items they took with them out of Egypt?  Well, it was amazingly easy. It seems that, once focused on fulfilling God’s plan for the Chosen, the people were able to get behind the unifying idea of carrying God’s presence with them.  Working on the project brought them together.  Perhaps this physical structure reflected a deep inner yearning of the people.

But God’s words regarding their giving was clear… it had to be a free-will offering.  If they failed to give willingly, the project could not go forth.  There was no hesitation, no kvetching. Both men and women freely gave their valuables and their handiwork for the glory of the sanctuary! It was, if you will, “inclusive” giving, that is to say everyone of every station of life gave. Each gave according to their ability. They gave so much that Moses finally had to tell them to stop!

What comes from this spirit of giving and continues during the construction is a peaceful, cooperative and uplifting time in the Exodus story.  No kvetching. In building a physical place for God to dwell, they coalesce into a people willing to go beyond individual wants and desires for the greater needs of the community.

Their lesson remains today as a guiding principle of the Jewish People. For in building a dwelling place for God and a sacred space for connecting with God, whether it was the Mishkan in the desert, the Temple in Jerusalem, or our own congregation in Warrenton we can feel that God’s presence rests in a place of charity. God rests wherever people are willing to give and to give of themselves.

Shabbat Shalom.