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T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה (Exodus 25:1−27:19)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה (Exodus 25:1−27:19)

“And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.”

The ongoing, everlasting attempt to bring God into our midst, to have the Divine presence in our lives, begins here.

We need a Sanctuary so we can feel God’s presence, we need a Building so we can feel close to the Divine.

Parsha T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה Torah Summary:

God asks the Children of Israel to donate gifts (t’rumah) for the building of the Tabernacle so that God may “dwell among them.” (25:1-9) Instructions for the construction of the Ark, table, and menorah are provided. (25:10-40) Detailed directions are given on how to build the Tabernacle. (26:1-27:19) T’rumah – תְּרוּמָה “And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” The ongoing, everlasting attempt to bring God into our midst, to have the Divine presence in our lives, begins here. We need a Sanctuary so we can feel God’s presence, we need a Building so we can feel close to the Divine.

Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים (Exodus 21:1−24:18)

This is the scroll (book) of the covenant between us and God. God interprets the two tablets of covenant (the 10 commandments) to day-to-day laws. The first one is the prohibition to enslave others.

Why would the first law of our covenant with God be about slaves? We just left Egypt; we do not have slaves.

There is a danger in human nature. We tend to do to others what was done to us. We were tortured, we will do it to others. The Torah teaches us to get over our instincts and not to do to others what was done to us.

Parsha Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים Torah Summary:

Interpersonal laws ranging from the treatment of slaves to the exhibition of kindness to strangers are listed. (21:1-23:9) Cultic laws follow, including the commandment to observe the Sabbatical Year, a repetition of the Sabbath injunction, the first mention of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, rules of sacrificial offerings, and the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. (23:10-19) The people assent to the covenant. Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel ascend the mountain and see God. Moses goes on alone and spends forty days on the mountain. (24:1-18) Mishpatim – מִשְׁפָּטִים This is the scroll (book) of the covenant between us and God. God interprets the two tablets of covenant (the 10 commandments) to day-to-day laws. The first one is the prohibition to enslave others. Why would the first law of our covenant with God be about slaves? We just left Egypt; we do not have slaves. There is a danger in human nature. We tend to do to others what was done to us. We were tortured, we will do it to others. The Torah teaches us to get over our instincts and not to do to others what was done to us.

Yitro – יִתְרוֹ (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Yitro – יִתְרוֹ (Exodus 18:1–20:23)

“I יהוה am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage.”

The identity of our God, the way God starts the 10 commandments, introducing itself, is the God who frees the captive. God who frees the oppressed. That is why freeing the captive and redeeming the hostages is the most important Mitzvah we have (according to Maimonides).

Parsha Yitro – יִתְרוֹ Torah Summary:

Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law Moses. (18:1-12) Moses follows Yitro’s advice and appoints judges to help him lead the people. (18:13-27) The Children of Israel camp in front of Mount Sinai. Upon hearing the covenant, the Israelites respond, “All that God has spoken we will do.” (19:1-8) After three days of preparation, the Israelites encounter God at Mount Sinai. (19:9-25) God gives the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people. (20:1-14) Frightened, the Children of Israel ask Moses to serve as an intermediary between God and them. Moses tells the people not to be afraid. (20:15-18) Yitro – יִתְרוֹ “I יהוה am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage.” The identity of our God, the way God starts the 10 commandments, introducing itself, is the God who frees the captive. God who frees the oppressed. That is why freeing the captive and redeeming the hostages is the most important Mitzvah we have (according to Maimonides).

B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח (Exodus 13:17−17:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח (Exodus 13:17−17:166)

There is an amazing moment and an amazing Torah (Teaching) in this portion. As the Israelites arrive to the Sea of Reeds, they see Pharaoh and his army chasing them to get them. With the sea is in front and the army is getting near, they feel it is the end.

At that moment, Moses says to them, do not be afraid “יהוה will battle for you; you hold your peace!” You do not need to do anything, just let God do God’s job.

And God says to Moses, “Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.” No says God, do not cry to me, you need to do something!

When you pray and ask God, always do it yourself!

Parsha B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח Torah Summary:

The Children of Israel escape across the Sea of Reeds from Pharaoh and his army, who drown when God drives back the sea. (13:17-14:31) Moses and the Israelites sing a song praising Adonai. (15:1-21) In the wilderness, God provides the grumbling Israelites with quails and manna. God instructs the Israelites to gather and prepare on the sixth day food needed for Shabbat. (15:22-16:36) The people complain about the lack of water. Moses hits a rock with his rod and brings forth water. (17:1-7) Israel defeats Amalek, Israel’s eternal enemy. God vows to blot out the memory of Amalek from the world. (17:8-16) B’shalach – בְּשַׁלַּח