TERUMAH

Shalom, Shalom. We commence this DEVAR TORAH by focusing our ATTENTION on the title of the portion. The title of the PARASHAT is TERUMAH. The IVRI transliteration TERUMAH may be interpreted to mean a “raised up portion.” The meaning of TERUMAH, that is, a raised up portion has to do with offerings given for the service of G-d. No doubt this seems to imply that the instructions that were given to the Jew is for the construction of a religion, but Judaism is far more than that, yea, it is a lifestyle that was given to BENEI YISRAEL.

Religion has to do with the performance of prescribed instruction for the purpose of appeasing G-d. On the other hand, a lifestyle is an individual’s whole way of living. Thus the portion speaks of the TERUMAH being given “from every man whose heart motivates him.” From this statement, we are able to discern that the requirement of the “MOTIVATION of the HEART” is indicative of a lifestyle. This is based upon the principle that a THOUGHT (heart) that is concentrated upon becomes a word, a word that is concentrated upon becomes an action, an action that is concentrated upon becomes a tendency, a tendency that is concentrated upon becomes a habit, a habit that is concentrated upon becomes a character and a character that is concentrated upon becomes a destiny. Thus from the MOTIVES of the HEART, i.e. THOUGHT LIFE, comes DESTINY or LIFESTYLE. Indeed the instructions given in TORAH are to MANIFEST a SUPERNAL LIFESTYLE in the Jewish People.

It is further disclosed that the fundamental principle of the Jewish People is based on SUPERNAL COUNSEL. Yea, it is written, “They shall make a Sanctuary for Me - so that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8) No doubt this concept of G-d dwelling among us is for the purpose of MANIFESTATION. Yea, we become what we FOCUS UPON. It is the GOAL of CREATION that those who are undergoing the HUMAN CONSCIOUS EXPERIENCE would realize our CONSCIOUS UNION with G-d and actualize the ONENESS into being. The actualization of our ONENESS into being is fulfilled through SERVANTHOOD. Thus the LIFESTYLE of the Jew is based upon experiencing the SUPERNAL and becoming SUBSERVIENT to the experience. Without a doubt, the Jew is destined to be the VISIBLE MANIFESTATION of the INVISIBLE G-d in the UNIVERSE, which is the LIFESTYLE of G-d.