March 2 and
3, 2017
“Let them build a sanctuary…………….”
25: 3 And this is the offering which you shall take
from them: gold, silver, and bronze;
4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen,
and goats' hair;
5 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia
wood;
6 oil for the light, and spices for the
anointing oil and for the sweet incense;
7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod
and in the breastplate.
8 And let them make a sanctuary/tabernacle,
9 According to all that is what is shown to you,
the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so
you shall make it………
This is
quoted from the first part of Terumah,
this week’s Torah portion about the ornate construction and building of the “HOLY SANCTUARY”. It seems that a sanctuary in a synagogue
today presents itself in such a manner that it might change one’s behavior. Upon entering, the stained-glass
windows, the beautiful Ner Tamid forever burning brightly, the rows and rows of
seats, especially during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are so present, as well as
the large Bima (Stage & Podium), and the wooden or shining metal Ark
housing the Torah(s). This truly is a sanctuary
in the religious and holy sense.
Sanctuary according to Merriam Webster (the 1920-90’s version of
Wikipedia), “a place that is considered sacred (as within a religion) by law,
anyone who sought refuge in a religious sanctuary was safe from arrest by the
civil authorities; a sacred place/dwelling.” “something (as a building) that
offers cover from the weather or protection from danger.” Upon entering the modern day Sanctuary, we
lower our voices almost in pure silence, and basically STOP talking, and cease engaging
with one another!
Can a
physical place, such as a sanctuary present itself as a welcoming and open
place to have sincere thoughts and or one’s self expressive words? Was this the thought upon construction of the
very first Mishkan/sanctuary? Yes, and most definitely holds true for many
today. What also holds very true is the very fact that before the building and
the construction of the first indoor, enclosed and ornate sanctuary, the people
shared Torah, Sincere Thoughts and worship under the sky, near trees, by the
running streams and oceans, nature abound!
Issac and Abraham traveled, as did Jacob and all outside with in the
desert and river to the mountain tops!
They found their own sincere sanctuary, and with them, were their
communities!
Wikipedia
defines “Terumah”, Hebrew for "gift" or "offering." Isn’t the real gift the building up, the
forming of, the construction of the communities together? So, is it that of the physical space that is
so very sacred that was and is being offered, or is it the communities that are
coming together to share amongst the group, to participate together in a loving
manner and can effectively share Torah Thoughts and deep discussion? The outdoors and nature allowed that as well
and is always inviting still today!
The real construction
of the sanctuary defined then should be something like- construction of, building
up a loving and sincere community that shares and incorporates……
It is the
people that form communities, that become friends, that grow as families, and
indeed grow together with one another, hand in hand, loving and understanding, sharing in our actions, and being there for….. We are one, Love one another!
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