Parsha “Terumah” (Exodus 25:1 – 27:19) is a major change of pace from the story of the plagues, and the Exodus from bondage in Egypt.
While Moses is evidently still up on the mountain, he is told by YHVH to take an ‘offering’ (terumah) from those with willing hearts. And then follows a description of specifically what, and what it is for.
The Erev Shabbat Reading:
The level of detail in the parsha this week, and even subsequently, is almost an enigma: It is almost overwhelming, and yet were it not for the fact that Moses is told that he is being shown a ‘pattern,’ or “blueprint,” it is pretty evident that what is being described could probably not be built.
And it must be done by the effort of the ‘skillful workman,’ besides. Later, we’re even told that those tasked with that work must even be guided by the very Ruach Elohim, or Spirit of YHVH.
Many of us, because this is the “Olde” Testament, after all, have probably heard that anything associated with the ‘tabernacle’ (or later temple) is superfluous now, and even “done away with.”
Or it’s just ‘spiritualized’ – perhaps even with a bit too much hand-waving.
So, even the level of detail included is just not enough, in the sense of being able to completely understand the design…
There’s something very telling about that.
Terumah: Why does the detail seem overwhelming?
The combined two-part reading and Sabbath day midrash is here:
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