Parashah Roundup: Terumah 5769

by Steve Brizel

The Culmimation of the Exodus

R. Zvi Sobolofsky illustrates how the building of the Mishcan represented the culmination and purpose of Yetzias Mitzrayim: link
Binyan Beis HaMikdash

R. Soloveitchik zt"l and R. Daniel Z. Feldman discuss the mitzvah of Binyan Beis HaMikdash: link 1, link 2

R. Michael Rosensweig examines the relationship of building the Mishkan and its relationship to our Avodas HaShem: link

Click here to read moreThe Mikdash Me'at

R. Dovid Gottlieb discusses the halachic issues involved in building a shul: link (audio)

To Me, For My Sake

R. Avraham Gordimer urges us to emulate the motivation of Klal Yisrael in their donation of the materials for the Mishkan: link

The Goodness of One's Heart

R. Baruch Simon, based upon a Gemara in Chulin 7b,and Rashi, and the comments of the Satmar Rebbe zt"l, that even someone who would be embarrassed if he did not give Trumah or someone would give Trumah but lacks the means, proves that Trumah is a conglomeration of the gifts of all sorts of Jews: link (audio) (Mazel Tov on the publication of Sefer Imrei Baruch on Eruvin U Rshiyos!).

Giving and Receiving

R. Mayer Twersky, based upon the Kli Yakar, reminds us that one who gives, receives far more in return: link

Love and Awe

R. Aharon Lichtenstein explains why and how the Mishkan inspired the most seemingly contradictory emotions: link

Mishkan and Mikdash

R. Yaakov Medan and R. Yitzchak Etshalom explores the relationship between the Mishkan and Mikdash and the distinct function of both the Mishkan and Mikdash: link 1, link 2 (PDF), link 3 (PDF)

Sweating the Details

R. Berel Wein suggests why the construction of the Mishlan contains so many details: link

The Staves of the Ark

R. Ephraim Buchwald, based upon the understanding of Yoma 72a explains why the staves could never be removed from the Ark: link

The Message of the Cherubim

R. Larry Rothwachs discusses the configuration and hashkafic message of the Cherubim: link

R. Yissocher Frand urges us to maintain a child like enthusiasm that will enable us to accept Torah and integrate it into our personalities and that the embrace of the Cherubim, even when found after the destruction of the Temple, symbolize that holiness is in the eye of the beholder: link

R. Dovid Horwitz explores the hashkafic problems presented by the Cherubim and several possible approaches: link

The Building of the Ark

R. Jonathan Sacks explains why the construction of the Ark required the participation of the Jewish People as a whole: link

The Structure of the Mishkan and Personal Growth

R. Yitzchak Adlerstein, based on the teachings of the Nesivos Shalom, illustrates how the Mishkan serves as a model for spiritual growth: link

R. Shlomo Riskin urges us to use our homes to fulfill the function of the Mishkan as a place for the dwelling of the Shechinah and as a means of linking ourselves as much as possible with Temple: link

Give and Take

R. Asher Brander, based on Ramban and Rabbeinu Bchaye, reminds us that the only things that we own are our deeds: link

Halachic Issues Related to the Kosel HaMaaravi

R. Asher Weiss explores halachic issues related to the Western Wall: link

Shoalim Vdorshim Department

R. Dovid Hirsch explains why Simcha is increased and is almost a halachic imperative in Adar: link (audio)

R. Soloveitchik zt"l discusses the Jew's responsibility to sacrifice for the sake of his or her community: link

Last year's roundup: link