In addition, after services, please join us as our rabbinic intern, Warner Ferratier, teaches a session after lunch about Jewish views on our responsibilities towards aging parents.
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In this week’s Torah portion, we begin reading about the construction of the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that was to accompany the children of Israel throughout their journey towards the promised land. From the very first sentence, we are taught about the importance of giving to the cause that would eventually be the Jewish people in both tangible and intangible ways.
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts from Me from every person whose heart so moves him. And these are the gifts that you shall accept from them: gold, silver, and copper, blue, purple and crimson yarns, fine linen, goats’ hair; tanned ram skins and acacia wood….. Exodus 25:1-4
Noting that the text literally says “take for Me gifts,” one chasidic comment explains that this verse demonstrated the difference between the fools and the wise. When giving to charity, the former thinks it is they who give, the latter know that even in giving, they receive (URJ, The Torah).
As a sacred congregation, we are blessed to have so many individuals who give to our community in a variety of ways. From financial contributions, to contributions of time, hobbies, talents, wisdom, and insight- Congregation Torat El exists as a sacred community because of the gifts which so many of your contribute on a regular basis. Indeed on an ideological level, one of the reason that we shifted our dues model a few years ago was to frame our understanding that this central idea as a key component of our current identity as a congregation. And so, as I came across this verse once again this year- I wanted to simply take a moment to thank you for the many gifts that each of you contribute to our community on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. It is my hope that you receive as much as you give during your involvement with our community. In keeping with the literal translation for the word “gifts” (terumah) above, it is my hope that your involvement “raises you up” on an emotional and spiritual level. I certainly know that it inspires our leadership team- raising us up on a regular basis.
One last thought: If there are ways in which you have considered contributing your time, talents or interests in the past, but you have not found the right “entry point” into our community- please feel free to reach out to me directly. I would be more than happy to help you figure out the best way to bring your gifts and offerings to our community in a way that is meaningful to all of us as we work to create a community where ,as parshat Terumah also teaches, God’s presence can be found dwelling among us.
