Voices of WRJ: Parashat T'rumah

by Rona Weinstein In Parashat T’rumah, our ancestors are still in the desert leading what I imagine to be physically-challenging lives. It comes as a startling surprise, at least to me, when God proposes that Moses take charge of one of the most complex building projects of all time. Every detail that is prescribed by God is told to Moses and indirectly to us. The measurements are precise. The varied materials are to be given as gift, t’rumah, to God from those Israelites who are so moved. The materials include pure gold, acacia wood, colored yarns, dolphin skins, fine linens, and many others. The reason for the specific gifts that God requires is fully and emphatically explained in lines 8 and 9: “And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. Exactly as I show you---the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings---so shall you make it.” While we are not privy to Moses’ reaction to God’s directions, every paragraph that follows is filled with very specific direction for fulfilling God’s plans. Almost without exception the paragraphs begin with the words, “You shall make…” showing that God is very clear in his role as designer as this will be God’s dwelling place. After reading this, my concern about God asking for such precious items was still troubling me. Then I remembered that the Egyptians were so eager for the Israelites to leave Egypt that they gave them objects of gold and silver as well as clothing to encourage them to leave quickly. It is also helpful to realize that in the proceeding parashah we have been introduced to the Ten Commandments. They will in time need a home of their own. I do wish that Moses had been given more credit for the work assigned to him and that the women were mentioned more often. The women of WRJ who organized and made real, and really great, the WRJ Assembly & Centennial Celebration continue to deserve our gratitude and respect. Their contributions were and continue to be modern day examples of T’rumah. Rona Weinstein is a member of the The Women’s Auxiliary of Congregation Emanu-El in New York, NY.