Coming together is the beginning;
Staying together is progress;
Enduring together is success.
All of these are inseparable aspects
of Bringing Moshiach Now!
Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This week is parshas Terumah. In the first three pasukim the word teruma is mentioned three times. Rashi explains that these three times refer to three different donations that were given for the Mishkon: one for the sockets, the adonim, which served as the foundation of the Mishkon; one for 13 different materials used for building the Mishkon; and one to provide funds for community sacrifices, for example the korbon tamid.
Based on a sicha from the Rebbe (5724 Shabbos parshas Mishpatim) we learn that these three donations teach a significant lesson today in how we treat others one-on-one, in the community at-large and in our institutions.
There’s a saying that as we begin so it goes. Great projects often begin with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm excitement and energy. The approach of setting down new foundations for something good is reflected in the donation of the sockets. There are those amongst us that excel in this area. Once they begin the project however they leave it to others to build.
There are others who are neither trailblazer’s nor revolutionaries but enjoy jumping in once an important project has begun. They may lack the vision to create or found something new but make it up in heartfelt giving. This is reflected in the second donation of the 13 different materials. These materials were not the foundation or the starting point but they do made up the bulk what is necessary for the building of the Mishkon. After their donation they feel that their part is complete and leave it to others to maintain.
There are others who will neither start a worthy project nor participate in the labors of building once it has begun. When it’s all been completed however they will show up to secure the fulfillment of its purpose. This is similar to a person who sees a beautiful synagogue in their community and they want to be a part of it. These are the people that work late into the night after everyone is gone home to insure that the doors stay open and everything keeps functioning. This is reflected in the third donation of the communal sacrifice, the ultimate purpose for which the Mishkon was built.
The Rebbe explains that although most usually excel in one area more than another, we learn from parshas Terumah that if we want to accomplish our mission of v’shechanti b’socham, bringing Hashem’s presence into this world, we all have all three and they are all necessary for the success of our mission. It isn’t sufficient to suffice with one or two of the three. The parsha is teaching us this by mentioning all three at the beginning of the construction of the Mishkon to teach that each and every one of us has the ability to participate all three.
We express this in our daily living this not only by giving physical donations of tzedaka but it also by making donations spiritually in all three areas. If we look around and see someone that is down and needs our help we begin by reaching out; we create a foundation (the first donation). This week’s parsha teaches us that we don’t view this help as a one-time shot in the dark occurrence. We tend to it with ongoing involvement and care maybe in a number of areas (the second donation). Even when we provided a lot to others our care concern and involvement doesn’t end there. We need to stay in touch and make sure that what we’ve done lasts (the third donation).
The same applies in our relationships with our children. There are three distinct stages of growth. When a child is young and at home we see to all of their needs and provide a proper foundation (the first donation). As they grow older and go away to yeshivas and seminaries we may think it’s time to take a break and go on autopilot assuming that they’re taken care of. Our care and concern continues and is very necessary even during this stage. We continue to be involved by calling our children, being aware of their surroundings, providing their needs and speaking with their teachers (the second donation). When our children are finally grown and out on their own, we may feel our job is done and it’s time for retirement. The truth is that now is when they may need our support most! Been involved with care and concern at this stage of life is an essential part of our lifelong relationship with our children.
Just as described with regard to parenting and helping others the same applies for Rabbonim, Mashpiim, and Teachers. Someone once asked a Rosh Yeshiva if he knows how his talmidim are faring after they leave his yeshiva. He was asked: “Do you call them?”
A healthy family is a family that is involved from beginning to end in all aspects both physical and spiritual. A healthy community is the same.
Through building our own Mishkon and by helping others to build theirs, may we merit the third Beis HaMikdash with the full and complete “v’shechanti b’socham” with the arrival of Moshiach immediately.
A Good Shabbos