terumah09

Shabbat Shalom!.

Shabbat Shalom!.

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Shabbat Shalom!.

Terumah(exodus 25)

Parshas Terumah takes us to the construction of the mishkan.

“They shall make a Sanctuary for Me- so that I may

dwell among them” (25:8)

Hashem commands the Jewish nation to build this Mishkan (tabernacle) as a place for G-d in the world, a resting place for the Shechinah (divine presence).This was to be the portable sanctuary that was the center of the Israelites religious life during the years they spent wandering in the desert. Detailed instructions are given about how to construct the Tabernacle, the width, length, height, the type of materials that needed to be used and what would be needed to furnish it. Hashem instructed Moshe to gather “donations” or free will offerings for the building of the sanctuary.Which is where the parsha gets its name- Terumah which means contributions or gifts, freewill offerings from each person

” From every person whose heart motivates him you shall take my portion.”(25:2)

The Torah spends the whole Parsha describing what was needed to build the Mishkan and precisely how to proceed with its construction. Included among the holy items to be built was the menorah, which many of us associate with the Jewish holiday of Hanukah, it is important to realize that The menorah which Hashem instructed Moshe to construct is the traditional golden menorah with places for seven candles, where as the Hanukkah menorah has 9 places.

“And you shall make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made … And there shall be six branches going out of the sides of it: three branches of the candlestick out of its one side, and three branches of the candle-stick out of its other side … And you shall make its lamps, seven … And see that you make them after their pattern, which is being shown to you upon the mountain” (25:31-40).

We find that Moses experienced more difficulty in understanding the construction and the appearance of the menorah than he did in that of all the other vessels of the Sanctuary. Why was this particular feat so difficult for Moshe? Hashem had to explain to him numerous times how the menorah should look.(Rashi), and that even so Moshe still had great difficulty in visualizing the exact appearance of the Menorah. Moshe Rabbeinu who has been said to have memorized the whole torah who led the people out of Egypt, who crossed the people over the Reed Sea, had difficulty in this concept of the building and details of the menorah ? Perhaps we need to consider why Hashem would make this difficult for Moshe to the point that according to the midrash Hashem finally says to Moshe, “go to Bezalel and he will make it.”

The menorah, was hammered out of a single piece of gold, one unit, “one beaten work” (Shemot 25:36; 37:22).and remained a single object through the various stages of its construction . But it also sheds its light with seven lamps, they must all be turned toward the central stem, in keeping with G-d's instruction that "the seven lamps shall give light toward the face of the menorah." By its very structure, the menorah symbolizes two concepts –that of many- expressed in the number of branches on both sides of the central trunk, and on the other hand one unit - expressed in the fact that the menorah is whole, solid, of one piece.

In other words, we all come from the same place, and we are all oriented toward the same goal. Each of us is capable of and unique in the gifts that G-d has personally given us. In Rabbi Simon Jacobsons, book “Toward a meaningful Life” he states

“You matter, Everything you do matters. Now and Forever. “

None of us is perfect, and even the most gifted and seemingly one who “has it all” has weaknesses. However as Jews we each have our share in the beauty of what the torah has to offer. Whether we can recite every prayer or whether we just feel Hashems presence in our hearts, we are all links which are irreplaceable. Our ancestry and our experiences have “welded” all of us, including our strengths and weaknesses together, into our Jewish nation. It is this “combination” that produces the “light” which makes the menorah so special.

Some have said that the menorah represents the people of Israel-G-d-s "light unto the nations." The menorah is symbolic in that the Jewish nation is comprised of different tribes and includes individuals from all walks of life, but interestingly the only fact that makes a menorah "non-kosher" is if the lights are not on the same level.

From all that has been said above, it becomes clear that the menorah of the mishkan holds many symbolic and meaningful treasures as is with all of the words of the torah. This parasha leaves little doubt that that the building of the mishkan occurred because the people were able to assemble together and work toward a common good. We are all capable of doing mitzvoth, we are all special in what we have to offer, we each shine separately; however, when we work together our lights can illuminate the world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Miriam

"gold, silver, and copper; turquoise, purple, and scarlet wool; linen and goat hair; red-dyed ram

skins, tachash skins, acacia wood; oil for illumination, spices for the anointment oil and the aromatic incense; shoham stones and stones for the settings, for the Ephod and the Breastplate." (Shmos 25:3-7).

This weeks parsha specifically dictates to the Israelites what is needed inorder to build the mishkan(tabernacle) , the temporary structure used in the desert. Hashem commands the Jewish nation to build this Mishkan as a place for G-d in the world, a resting place for the Shechinah (divine presence). The beautiful colors and smells of the mishkan just lends itself to the wonderful recipes this week. The word Terumah means “contribution” and just as every person was asked to contribute inorder to build the mishkan, so to the term "potluck" suggests a random assortment of dishes, brought together by many with the intent of producing a delicious meal. The following recipes are perfect for large crowds or “building committees!”

Judith’s Tomato Salad

This looks and tastes as beautiful as the jewels of the mishkan

4-5 red tomatoes on the vine

½-3/4 finely chopped onions (white or red)

finely chopped parsley

salt

1 -2 sweet and low(artificial sweetener)

sugar

red wine vinegar

olive or vegetable oil

This recipe is courtesy of my Machatunim- Judith- it was inspired by her mother and her husband John’s mother and is a reminder of a classic Hungarian gulyas. If you go on the Internet, you will see all kinds of additions to the gulyas, but again...the classic gulyas is simple and rich in flavor derived from onions, paprika and meat.

Judith’s Knockwurst Paprikas

4-5 packages kosher Knockwurst

2 large finely chopped onions

4-6 tablespoon oil

4-6 tablespoons sweet Szeged Hungarian paprika (use only

Hungarian sweet paprika, no substitutes. Available in super

markets.)

2 green peppers, seeded and sliced vertically into 4-6 slices

1 Contadina tomato paste with Italian herbs

caraway seeds

small peeled potatoes

Cook knockwurst in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to get rid of some of the fat. Rinse in hot water. Cool and slice into ¼” thick rings. Can be a bit thicker; they shrink during cooking.

Peel potatoes and cook (do not slice them!) in salty water. Try cooking them in as little water as possible because the starchy liquid will be the base for the paprikas gravy. Strain potatoes and set aside liquid and potatoes separately.

Sautee onions till translucent. Remove from heat. Add paprika and mix. Add sliced knockwurst and gently mix till coated with paprika and onions. Cover with saved salty water.

Add tomato paste, a generous amount of caraway seed and sliced pepper.

Bring to a gentle boil, cover and cook till sauce thickens. If necessary, add more liquid and tomato paste. Cook about 15 minutes-20 minutes till peppers are soft.

At the end, add potatoes and cook an additional 3 minutes or so, till potatoes absorb gravy flavor.

PS As a shortcut you can use canned small, new potatoes and use the liquid from the cans. Potatoes are not as tasty as the fresh ones, but the liquid is nice and thick.

Pecan Meringues

2 Cups brownulated sugar( do not use regular brown sugar)

2 Tablespoons flour (or passover cake meal)

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 extra large egg whites (at room temperature)

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 1/2 cups pecans

Pre heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease cookie sheet and line with aluminum foil. Grease aluminum foil.

Combine sugar flour and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold in dry ingredients. Gently stir in vanilla and pecans.

Drop on sheets by teaspoonful, about 2 inches apart.

Bake 20 minutes until crackles on top. Cool completely and they will peel right off the aluminum foil. Freezes well

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