September 10, 2020

Dear Holy Friends,

One of my most favorite sentences from the Torah includes the passionate description of the People of Israel bringing gifts for the purpose of constructing the Tabernacle (Mishkan). In the Book of Exodus, parsha Terumah, we read the following sentence:

דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְיִקְחוּ־לִ֖י תְּרוּמָ֑ה מֵאֵ֤ת כָּל־אִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִדְּבֶ֣נּוּ לִבּ֔וֹ תִּקְח֖וּ אֶת־תְּרוּמָתִֽי׃

Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him.

Keep in mind that the Israelites had just been wandering in the desert for forty years and prior to that, they had been slaves to a Pharoah for hundreds of years. Clearly, they had been through a very rough existence, which I cannot imagine had left them particularly well to do.

Nonetheless, they recognized an obligation and did what they could to support a holy and righteous cause. What I like most about this Pasuk (verse), is that the gifts are described as coming from the heart; these gifts represented not only an offering of physical resources, but equally important, an offering of their emotional resources.

We have all been through a rough period throughout much of this calendar year. As we approach the start of the Jewish New Year, we too must recognize an obligation, not for the construction of a tabernacle, but for the maintenance of one.

We, at the synagogue, continue to do our holy work to support our community year-round, in good times and bad. At this time of year, we ask you to consider sharing of your heart and sharing of your gifts in whatever manner you desire. Know that thanks to your generosity, we will continue to celebrate our rich past and carry it forth into the future.

Blessings of Health and Happiness Always and Good Wishes for a Sweet New Year 5781!

B’Shalom, Rabbi Eric L. Wasser