Parashat Terumah
Exodus 25:1 - Exodus 27:19

Topics (click on any link)
Synopsis of the Torah portion
Spiritual insights into Parashat Terumah
Key verses
Creative Midrash for Parashat Terumah

Synopsis                    return to top
Chapter 25
On the mountain God instructs Moses to inform the people to bring gifts which will be accepted from every person whose heart so moves him. The gifts that were acceptable included precious metals, colored yarns, fine linen, goat and dolphin skins, acacia wood, oil for lamps, aromatic spices and precious stones. These gifts are to be the materials specified to build a sanctuary as God's dwelling place. This primitive temple was to be constructed exactly according to the plan God commanded. An ark with carrying poles is to be made from the acacia wood; the ark is to be covered with pure gold and two cherubim of gold is to adorn the ark. There should be a table of acacia wood with gold trimmings and golden implements. Instructions are given for a lampstand of pure gold.  The lamp is to have seven branches on which flame can be ignited, and the utensils used for the lamp should also be made of pure gold.

Chapter 26
The blueprints for the tabernacle (the altar) continue in this chapter. The details of the ornamental fabric designs are described followed by specifications for the altar to be made of acacia wood along with their sockets of silver. Next comes the specifications for the curtain which is to serve as a partition between the Holy and the Holy of Holies. A screen for the entrance of the Tent is also to be made from blue, purple and crimson yarns together with fine twisted linen. There are to be posts of acacia wood with hooks of gold.

Chapter 27
Now we come to the construction details of the altar itself. It is also to be made of acacia wood and horns overlaid with copper are to be placed on each of the four corners. The pails, basins, fire pans and all the other utensils are to be made of copper. An enclosure of fine twisted linen around the tabernacle is specified at one hundred cubits long for the south and north sides, fifty cubits for the east and west sides. The sockets for this enclosure should be made of copper and all the utensils are to be made of copper.

Spiritual insights into Parashat Terumah                    return to top
Terumah is about the gifts that the Israelites are required to bring before God. These gifts are donated and the basis one one's deeply felt desire. These gifts are materials that will be utilized in the construction of the Tent in the Wilderness, the portable sanctuary, the precursor to the Temple. Among the materials to be accepted are gold, silver, and copper; blue, purple and crimson yarns; goat's hair, tanned ram skins and dolphin skins. It seems remarkable that these materials were available in the desolation of wilderness.

The entirety of Parashat Terumah is a blueprint for the design of the Tent of Meeting, and a materials list for its subsequent construction. There was to be an outer curtain as the boundary of the Tent.  Within that boundary, there would be a smaller tent to serve as the tabernacle, the confines for the sacrificial rites. Within that area would be a yet smaller tent to serve as the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was stored and no one was allowed to enter except for the High Priest and only on Yom Kippur. It is interesting to note how the more noble metals were used in places that were considered the most holy. Gold was to be for the cherubim, the two angelic figures that covered the ark, and gold would cover all the acacia wood accessories associated with the ark. The menorah was to be made of gold also. As we move further from the tabernacle, silver was the metal of choice and lastly copper was indicated. It Parashah summarizes the materials used for the construction of the Tent of Meeting as another pecking order of holiness.

Key verses                    return to top
This page is not a commentary on the text, but a chance for you to express your own comments and feelings in order to gain deeper insight into your own life.

Exodus 25:1
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept for Me from every person whose heart so moves him.
Food for thought:
1. What is the purpose of these gifts?
2. Why do these gifts, not necessarily others, depend on whether a persons heart so moves him?
3. What kinds of gifts are acceptable?
4. What does it take for your heart to be moved enough to give a gift?

Exodus 25:20
The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, shielding the cover with their wings. They shall confront each other, the faces of the cherubim being turned toward the cover.
Food for thought:
1. What is the cover that the cherubim’s wings are shielding?
2. What is expected to happen in between the two cherubim?
3. Where is this cover with two cherubim to be found?
4. Do we have some kind of "cherubim on the cover" that can serve us spiritually today?

Exodus 25:31-32
You shall make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be made of hammered work, its base and its shaft, its cups, calyxes, and petals shall be of one piece. Six branches shall issue from its sides: three branches from one side of the lampstand and three branches from the other side of the lampstand.
Food for thought:
1. What kind of lampstand do we have today that commemorates the original one?
2. How does the lampstand of today differ from this original one?
3. How does this menorah (Hebrew for lampstand) serve us today?
4. Why does God specify that it be made out of pure gold?

Exodus 26:25
Thus there shall be eight planks with their sockets of silver: sixteen sockets, two sockets under the first plank and two sockets under each of the other planks.
Food for thought:
1. These are among the specifications for the Tabernacle.  Here the blueprint specifies sockets of silver. Why silver?
2. What is the Tabernacle? How is the Tabernacle manifested in our lives today?
3. Why do these planks need sockets? What do sockets tell us? Could these sockets have anything to do with our lives today?

Exodus 26:30
Then set the Tabernacle according to the manner of it that you were shown on the mountain.
Food for thought:
1. How was the Tabernacle to be set?
2. The Torah does not describe what transpired on the mountain. How and why were these instructions given there?
3. What's the difference between given on the mountain as compared to given at the foot of the mountain?
4. What thoughts come to mind when you think of a mountain?

Exodus 26:33
Hang the curtain under the clasps, and carry the Ark of the Pact there, behind the curtain, so that the curtain shall serve you as a partition between the Holy and the Holy of Holies.
Food for thought:
1. Why must the Holy be set apart from the Holy of Holies?
2. What's there and what happens in the Holy of Holies?
3. What does the word "holy" mean in your estimation?
4. How do you find holiness in your life?

Exodus 27:2
Make its horns on the four corners, the horns to be of one piece with it; and overlay it with copper.
Food for thought:
1. These horns are additions to the altar. What is the purpose of these horns?
2. What do you think is the purpose of an altar? What happens there?
3. Why should the horns be overlaid with copper? Why not gold or silver? Is there a message there?

Exodus 27:7
The poles shall be inserted into the rings, so that the poles remain on the two sides of the altar when it is carried.
Food for thought:
1. Why must the Tabernacle be portable enough to be carried?
2. Where will it be carried?
3. Does a "portable altar" mean to you?

Exodus 27:19
All the utensils of the Tabernacle, for all its service, as well as all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of copper.
Food for thought:
1. We have previously encountered objects made of silver and gold. What's the meaning of utensils made of copper?
2. Obviously these metals are of differing values. What does the value have to do with where and how these objects are utilized?
3. Can you visualize where all of the Holy objects are located in the Tabernacle with respect to the metals they're made of?
4. Do you think certain parts of yourself are of greater or lesser value?

Additional questions to ponder:
1. What is it about the story, a verse, a word that seems to resonate with some aspect of your life?
2. Is there something about the story that rings a bell?
3. Can you recall experiences in your life when you have experienced something similar to this story?
4. How would you describe the characters in the story? Who do you know who's like them?
5. Can you personally identify with any one of the characters in the story? Which one?
6. Can you find a similarity between yourself and all the characters in the story?

Reflections:
The Rabbis of old would meditate on such questions, sometimes for weeks at a time, to help find deeper meaning in the verses. You may wish to contemplate just one or a few of these questions at a time, rather than tackling them all.
In what ways we any of your responses to the questions personally meaningful?

Suggestion:
Some of the questions here are of a personal nature which in some cases could be emotionally upsetting. If so, try relaxing your body as much as possible and takes long slow breaths of air. That usually helps to relieve anxiety.

We would like to know if you find this method of Torah study particularly helpful to you. Click here to let us know 

Creative Midrash on Parashat Terumah                    return to top

Exodus 27:6-8
6And make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with copper. 7The poles shall be inserted into the rings, so that the poles remain on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 8Make it hollow, of boards. As you were shown on the mountain, so shall it be made.

The Rabbis of old would create parables, stories and narrative connections around such selected verses. What do you see between the lines, the sentences and the letters. The following questions can provide a launch pad upon which to create your own meanings of the Torah.

Why does God require a sanctuary? Why does it consist of utensils made of gold, silver and copper? Do the different metals signify anything in particular? Why is this Tabernacle to be carried? Where is it to be carried to? Since the Torah does not specify what was commanded on the mountain, how do you envision this Tabernacle to look? If you were to be looking at it from a birds eye view, does that layout disclose anything in particular? Could it have anything to do with your own life? Why wasn't the layout spelled out carefully? Is there any difference to commandments that were given to Moses on the mountain compared to those given when he was down below with the people?