Terumah 5762 - February 15, 2002
Editor's note:
Re: Charity, joy and a home for G‑d
The Hebrew word terumah, commonly used today to denote
"charitable donation", actually means an uplifting. Tzedakah, the word for charity, means "rightness". These are two examples of the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the Jewish conception of "charity" and the generally-held ideas of what charity means and is. In just over two years of our magazine, we've accumulated some eighteen articles, essays and stories on the subject, which we've assembled in this week's "Idea of the Week."
And then there's the story of the person who ended up giving charity to himself. Why did his coin languish in a crack in the wall for 15 years? Was it because he was deemed unworthy to give? Or because it was destined to serve as a sign of his eventual worthiness? We prefer to just bring you the story and have you tell us how you understand its message.
Also in our magazine this week: the joy of Adar, a parenting tip, and a Jewish soldier's experience of September 11. Plus our extensive Parshah section and all our regular features. If you find something that interests you, irks you, or sets you thinking, please drop me a line...
Because it’s a good way to get things done, because it’s a good thing to do, because it’s a happy time, and because of a fourth reason that’s not really a reason.
If the very purpose of creation is embodied by the "Tabernacle" constructed by the Children of Israel in the desert, then every detail is of supreme importance to us. We need to know that the Menorah had 22 decorative goblets hammered into its design, and that each of the 48 wall panels measured 10 cubits in length and 1.5 cubits in width. It is necessary to define the 39 forms of creative work--from plowing to weaving to lighting to writing--involved in the Tabernacle's construction. For here we have the prototype for our life's work of making our world and our lives a home for G-d
Fifteen materials - including gold, silver, copper, wood, wool, animal skins and gemstones - are forged into a "dwelling for G-d" and a "Tent of Meeting" of Heaven and earth
The rebbe took the gold coin, wedged it in a crack in the wall next to his desk, and said no more.
That night, for the first time in my 26 years in the military, I didn't clean my boots. I have not cleaned then since. When my mission here is completed these boots will be buried
"By removing the boundaries between a parent and a child," some parents say, "we will bring up a more confident and loving child." Do your child a favor and don't accept their advice
How to give, how to receive, what it means, what it does, the cosmic significance, a dialog with the moon, and ramblings on stress and love...
In the same way, G-d said to Israel: "I have given you the Torah. I cannot part with her, and I also cannot tell you not to take her. But this I request of you: wherever you go, make for Me a house wherein I may dwell."
It’s G-d’s world. Everything He gives is good, the sweetest good.
But it is often a good far too great for us to understand. We imagine it is not good, because that’s the only way to make sense of it with our small minds.
Yet the truth is, He gives us all the good we can handle. If we could take more, He would g...
