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Drash for Shabbat Terumah By Alan Winfield- February 23, 2007 "They shall make an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide and a cubit and a half high". This week we read God’s specific instructions for the construction of the Ark, the home of the tablets upon which are inscribed the Ten Commandments, our directives from God, a set of instructions demanding ethical behavior by not just our people, but by all inhabitants of the earth. We received these commandments as we traveled across the desert, the remainder of a 40 year journey in front of us. Why did we receive this code of behavior when we did? Why not wait until we reach the Promised Land? It would have been a lot easier if we didn’t have to haul the Tabernacle with us across the desert, but being easier isn’t a very good reason to delay or pass on an otherwise very appropriate task. This was our mission; to make sure our laws went wherever we did. Our code of ethics is a core to the identity of our people. Monotheism and the Ten Commandments reflect our contribution to mankind, and the sooner we received and transmitted them, the better mankind would be. Mankind couldn’t wait. Perhaps, too, realizing that our laws were portable reflected the future for our people, a glimpse of the destruction of the Temple, our exile to Babylon, the Diaspora, the change in pattern of Judaism from a Temple to a synagogue-based religion, and finally the wide dispersal of the Jews worldwide. Judaism needed to be portable. Have Torah, will travel. And there is yet another point. The first sentence of Terumah reads: The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts to Me from every person whose heart so moves him". And the parsha goes on to list in great detail the creation of the Tabernacle, detailing how it is to be built, what materials to use, what colors to employ, the exact size and configuration. Very specific, very demanding, reminding us of the need for a wide variety of talents and skills, big tasks, small tasks, artistic endeavors, heavy labor. Everyone can contribute. Let me repeat the last phrase of that opening sentence of Terumah: "you shall accept gifts to Me from every person whose heart so moves him". Gifts to God are voluntary, not forced. God has granted us free will; we choose to do what we deem right and proper. God gives us all sorts of assignments, all we need do is recognize the need and act accordingly. No demands, no coercion, no threats. The Torah doesn’t mention what happens to slackers, those who don’t volunteer, those who don’t contribute. Why? Because it really doesn’t matter. Things get done because the majority of folks do chip in to help, each to their capabilities and talents. The non-contributors are few in number and really of no importance. This was true in the days of the construction of the Tabernacle and is just as true today. So it seems appropriate to conclude this drash by expressing my gratitude to all those who keep our Sanctuary functioning; our Rabbis and Cantorial Soloist, the teachers, the office staff, the custodians and maintenance staff, without whom our Temple wouldn’t function. But most of all to all of you who volunteer in any and all capacities, who keep our congregation alive and vibrant. Those of you whose heart so moves you. Todah rabah. Shabbat Shalom.
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