Parashat
T’rumah
2 Adar 5775 / 20-21 February 2015
Torah: Exodus 25:1 - 27:19
Haftarah: 1 Kings 5:26 - 6:13
Calendar and dedications follow
below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Congregation Beth
Meier, check out: www.bethmeier.org
Please feel free to pass this on to a
friend, and please cite the source
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EXPLORING THE GARDEN
"And
you will make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering of the sanctuary; you
shall make eleven curtains.” Exodus 26:7
Rabbi
Yitzchak Nissenboim offers the following comment: “All the beauty of the
sanctuary was inside – gold-covered beams, blue and scarlet curtains, gold
vessels with precious stones, etc. But outside was a covering of simple goats’
hair. This is to teach us that one’s principal beauty should remain
inside, with no conspicuous display of one’s wealth, so that jealousy and
hatred will not be aroused.”
It
is curious that he sees wealth as a form of beauty, although both wealth
and physical beauty can be the objects of jealousy and hatred. What I see
here is something a bit different. There is the idea that what lies within a
person is the true essence – if physical beauty (or plainness or ugliness) is
only skin deep, then looks can be deceiving. Outward appearance gives no
indication of the depths of personality, intelligence and character - they do
not manifest themselves on the surface.
As
with people, so also with the Torah. We may read verses about the design of the
sanctuary and wonder what any of this has to do with us in our modern world.
Not every verse of the Torah is immediately uplifting. The externalities, the
plain meaning of the text may do little to motivate us, or charge our spiritual
batteries.
The
Rabbis used the word “pardes” (an ancient Persian word for a walled garden, the
root of the word “paradise”) as an acronym to describe the Torah and its depths
– P’shat (simple or obvious meaning), Remez (hint, allegory), D’rash (drawn
out, homiletic) and Sod (secret, mystical). Peeling away the layers (the method
used above) allows one to explore and enjoy the complexities of Torah – and of
our fellow human beings!
The
inner beauties can be found – if we dig deeply and long enough. And getting to
know more on the way is just as enjoyable and rewarding.
Have
a wonderful Shabbat!
Mishenikhnas Adar Marbim B’simchah - With
the beginning of Adar we increase joy!
HaRav HaGaon HaTzaddik Abba Reuven Ben
Menachem Mendel Flom, Sh’lita
Der Heileger Studio Shtat Rebbe
Av Beis Din Chelm
Purim Reveler
Slivovitz Taste Tester
http://www.bethmeier.org
Blogging at: rav-rich.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook!
Feel free to send this to a friend, and
please cite the source.
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Candle lighting: 5:23 pm
Friday (tonight): Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm Oneg
Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00
am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am; Adult Hebrew –
10:00 am; Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group – 12:00 noon.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 Noon.
Friday, 27 February: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm
Saturday, 28 February: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am
Sunday, 1 March: Religious School – 9:30 am; Adult Hebrew –
10:00 am.
Watch your in-box for a
brochure about a planned trip to Israel – May 7 – May 18,
2015. Estimated cost: $4,100/person (double occupancy) using via non-stop El Al.
This d’var torah is
offered in memory of my aunt, Shirley Schack, who passed away last Shabbat.
Y’hi zikhronah liv’rakhah – May her memory be a blessing.
This d’var torah is
offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Naomi bat
Yorma, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah Mindel bat Toby, Stewart Benkle, Ken
Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, John Todd Brosky, Howard Ehrlich, Maya Fersht (Maya
bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Gig Flom (Gittel
Tobi bat Blanca), Jerry Forman, Leo Hoenig
(Leib ben Bella), Pamela Huddleston, Jayne Kaplan, Lina Kniter (Lina bat
Batya), Avremi Manzur, Chelsea Omoss, Annie Rivera, and Rabbi Marc Wilson.
My weekly
divrei torah are also available by free subscription to the Cyber Torah
list. Cyber Torah list management (no
salesman will call!):
To subscribe to Cyber Torah,
send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to:ravflom@sbcglobal.net
Send requests for
dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in
memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
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