Friday February 14,1997                           Erev Shabbat AdarI  7, 5757

Trumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)

Something to think about:

Last week's reading focused on the laws pertaining to the establishment
of a civil society. This week's portion of Trumah begins with the call
for donations of materials to be used in the construction of the MISHKAN
(the transportable Temple used throughout their journey until the building
of the First Temple by King Solomon). The sequence of these two, teaches us
a lesson. 
 

I can only be philanthropic and give "Tzedaka", after I have a clear
understanding of the laws and rights of possession.  When things are
lawfully mine, then I can choose to donate.  Without knowledge of the law,
my generosity could easily be theft!  The idea that I might steal but
somehow sanctify my actions through great acts of charity is foreign to
the Torah's morals. 

There is another connection between these two portions.  Mishpatim (last
week) ended with our peoples proclaimed commitment to the Torah as our
covenant with G-d.  This leads directly to the construction of the MISHKAN
in Trumah (this week).  The Baal Shem Tov (17th Century founder of
Hassidic movement) wrote that this teaches us the importance of acting
upon an inspiration.  If someone feels a moment of spiritual awakening,
it's not enough to verbally express it.  One must create a physical,
tangible expression of the feeling.  USE IT OR LOSE IT! 

We were all "fired up" over receiving the law at Mount Sinai but those
feelings of commitment would have vanished in a short period of time. 
Hashem knew that people need something to actively do, to keep those
feelings alive and fresh.  One of the early Jewish philosophers (Sefer
Hachinuch) wrote, "If some one feels an awakening of love for G-d he/she
should immediately concretize that feeling."

Both New Year's resolutions and Yom Kippur's resolve, are often short
lived.  [Someone once told my wife, "If you ever get the urge to invite
twenty people for dinner, lie down for a few minutes, it will pass!] I
believe that people are good and are often hit with sincere good
intentions.  Like the Jews at Sinai we too answer an inner call saying,
"We will do and we will listen." but we don't take the necessary next
step; action.  Even an immediate, little symbolic act can help lay a small
foundation upon which wonderful personal growth can be built.