Look Through Time, It's For Sure, It's The Greatest Gift To Man (Willie Dixon, Bob Weir, & Rob Wasserman - "Eternity")

          I remember when I was a college student (approximately 35 years ago) the end of January and the beginning of February marked the time of year that my father made arrangements for the payment of 2nd-semester tuition. Also, this was always the time of year that I told my parents and grandparents about my 2nd-semester courses. Twenty-one years after I graduated,  our eldest daughter headed off to University. The pattern continued. Around this time of year, I made arrangements for 2nd-semester tuition to be paid. Thankfully, we set aside a portion of savings for college/university. Our eldest daughter would dutifully call me, her grandparents and great-grandfather, and tell us about her 2nd-semester courses.  Back then, when I would speak to our eldest daughter’s grandparents, and great-grandfather, they would kvell with pride, saying “it is money well spent to see our grandaughter/ great-grandaughter thrive at university.” Despite the U.S. dollar price tag, I agreed with them.  Now, thirty-five years after I graduated from college, the grandparents have grown older and the great grandfather has been deceased for nearly ten years.  Two more daughters both attend university and the family has been setting aside a portion of savings. Once again, as January concluded and February began I made arrangements for two 2nd semester tuitions to be paid.  Both daughters routinely call and speak with us (the parents) and their grandparents, telling us about their classes and college life. Whenever I speak to our kids' grandparents and we talk about how their college-age granddaughters, both grandfather, and grandmother “kvell”, beaming that “it is money well spent to see their grandaughters intellectually and emotionally thrive. Despite the steep price tag, I agree with them. 

          This Shabbat we read from Parsha Terumah. In it, Moshe has re-ascended the mountain in order to receive the laws, and the blueprint, if you will, for the construction of the Mishkan, the portable tabernacle that will eventually permit B’nai Yisroel to gather, to make offerings to God, and to provide a physical dwelling for God. If you are an architect, or if you are an interior decorator, this Parsha goes into tremendous detail about Mishkan’s construction and decoration. More than anything, this Parsha is all about fundraising, financial development, and a  community getting behind a concrete common cause as opposed to the shared experience of revelation or shared words of the law.

          Before all the detail are presented for construction and decoration, God commands Moshe to tell B’nai Yisroel that the funding for this vital public works project will come from each individual V’Yikchu Li Terumah Mei’eit Kol Ish Asher Yidvenu Libo Tikechu et Terumati – They shall take for Me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him, you shall take my portion (Ex. 25:2). The holiest spot within the community, the most sacred area is based upon each and every individual apportioning a percentage of their assets to the construction of, decoration of, and maintenance of the Mishkan. How incredibly equitable! Everyone is involved and everyone has a stake in the outcome. All this fundraising success occurs as a result of Yidvenu Libo- literally, he will donate according to his heart. This is not a tax. These funds were to be raised by voluntary donations. The Or Hachayim (Rabbi Chaim Ibn Attar 18th century Moroccan Talmudist, Torah Commentator, and Kabbalist) explains that three phrases, three expressions correspond to three degrees of “gifts”/ “donations”.  He explains that the phrase: Mei’eit Kol Ish, from every man, appears superfluous. The verse could have easily been written without it so that the new verse would have read: They shall take for me a portion from anyone whose heart motivates (from anyone willing to donate), you shall take my portion. Why is the phrase necessary? The verse speaks of “Terumah -gift” and “Terumati – my gift.” The term “my gift” cannot be used except when the donor has done so willingly. The donor could not have been coerced. According to the Midrash, this Mishkan, this “mobile worship station” was a form of atonement for Golden Calf (Jerusalem Talmud Shekalim 1:5). This phrase “from every man” indicates that each individual person made a donation (an offering) above and beyond the designated “atonement tax”.  “From every man” also indicates that economic station and social status were irrelevant. The motivation was based upon “one’s heart” and not some external authority.

          The value of setting aside “a portion” was meant as a mechanism for B’nai Yisroel to participate in the relationship with God.  For a family, setting aside a portion as a gift towards children and grandchildren’s college education was instilled by my grandfather. He never went to college. He barely went to high school since he had to help support his family. He used to explain that the greatest gift he received was witnessing and listening to his children and grandchildren become educated adults. I think he would be proud to know that his legacy continues. Parents and grandparents continue to experience nachas, (joy and pride) in witnessing and listening to children and grandchildren become university-educated adults. Indeed, the ability to give them “their” gift has been an incredibly meaningful gift for us.  

Peace,

Rav Yitz

   

If I Had The World To Give, I'd Give It To You, Long As You Live (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia- "If I Had The World To Give")

           Our eldest daughter works for a Political Action Committee. One of the most important aspects of a Political Action Committee (PAC) is to raise funds in order to help finance state/federal campaigns, to help pass key pieces of legislation, or to promote a political agenda.  One can imagine that in the course of fundraising, certain moral or ethical dilemmas can arise.  Maybe the donor’s beliefs about other issues were totally at odds with the candidate’s positions. Maybe the donor expects a quid pro quo, something in return for the donation.  Maybe the donor’s money derives from ill-gotten gains. Our daughter explained that acceptance of these questionable sorts of donations could damage the integrity, the legal standing, and even the cause that the PAC supports.  She explained that she has no problem refusing donations if it means compromising the PAC’s integrity. She then explained that before she accepts a donation,  research and investigation of the donor occurs. If there is a problem, she returns the money to the donor.

          This Shabbat, we read from Parsha Terumah. In it, Moshe re-ascends the mountain in order to receive the laws, and the blueprint, if you will, for the construction of the Mishkan. The Mishkan will become the portable tabernacle that will eventually permit B’nai Yisroel to gather, to make offerings to God, and to provide a physical dwelling for God. If you are an architect, or if you are an interior decorator, this Parsha goes into tremendous detail about Mishkan’s construction and decoration. Before all the details are presented for construction and decoration, God commands Moshe to tell B’nai Yisroel that the funding for this vital public works project will come from each individual V’Yikchu Li Terumah Mei’eit Kol Ish Asher Yidvenu Libo Tikechu et Terumati – They shall take for me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him, you shall take my portion (Ex. 25:2). The holiest spot within the community, the most sacred area is based upon each and every individual apportioning a percentage of their assets to the construction of, decoration of, and maintenance of the Mishkan. How incredibly equitable! Everyone is involved and everyone has a stake in the outcome.

          There were no “dues” per se. Rather, each individual had to look within him/herself and be brutally honest. Each individual would give as they saw fit. This was a sacred moment between the individual and God. The object was not to give due to social pressure but rather for the holiest of reasons. However, such a process requires tremendous honesty. Such a process requires us to be sure that our outside matches our inside. Such a process forces the individual to “mean what you say and say what you mean”. Such a process forces the individual to  “talk the talk” and  “walk the walk”. This message is implicit in the design of the Aron, the Ark. V’Asu Aron Atzei Shitim – they shall make an Ark of acacia wood (Ex.25:10).  V’Tzipitah Oto Zahav Tahor Mibayit U’Michutz T’Tzapenu V’Asita Alav Zeir Zahav Saviv – You shall cover it with pure gold, from within and from without shall you cover it, and you shall make on it a gold crown all around (Ex. 25:11).  It makes sense that the outside of the Ark is covered with gold since that will be viewed by the people. However, what is the reason for lining the arc with pure gold from the inside? Rabeinu Chananel, the 11th century North African Talmudist, comments that this arrangement symbolized the Talmudic dictum that a Torah scholar must be consistent; his inner character must match his public demeanor, his actions must conform to his professed beliefs. However, there is no reason to limit such sentiment to Torah scholars. Kol Ish Asher Yidvenuy Libo Tikechu et Terumati – every man whose heart motivates him you shall take my portion. Every man should be motivated to be consistent. Every person’s actions should conform to his/her professed beliefs, and his or her beliefs should be expressed by behavior.

            Every day, we face the struggle to keep the pure gold of our integrity and character the same as the pure gold in our behaviour and connections to our family, friends, and community. The object is to never tarnish that which lies within nor that which lies without. Certainly, we learn the blueprints to Mishkan. Perhaps more importantly, we learn that Shachanti B’Tocham, -a place for God to dwell among his people, depends upon each member of the community seizing upon the opportunity to express holiness, whether Mitzvot l’Ben Adam L’Chavero (Mitzvot that pertains between people) or Mitzvot L’Hashem (Mitzvot that pertain to God.  If we neglect those opportunities, we tarnish the most precious aspect: our soul’s aspiration toward purity and holiness. When I asked our daughter why she is so rigorous in checking the donors and demands that her staff must be so rigorous in checking the donors; she smiled and reminded me that her father is a Rabbi, that she grew up in an observant home and more than anything she learned that personal integrity is based upon behaviour both in the home and outside the home. She reminded me that we don’t behave in a manner or associate with those who tarnish our integrity, our code, and our “brand”. 

Peace

Rav Yitz

Learn To Speak, Speak With Wisdom Like A Child Directly To The Heart (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Foolish Heart")

Our ninth grade daughter has been involved in a major fundraising project for SHALVA, an Israeli charitable organization that helps special needs children and their families. Our daughter chose to participate in a fundraising project that, if she fulfilled her quota, she would be able to participate in the Jerusalem Marathon in a couple of weeks.  She canvassed, she had a bake sale, she helped to operate a day camp for elementary school age children during the recent winter vacation, and she and a friend sold Shabbat desserts. She raised funds in small increments: $5, $10, and $20. She raised funds in larger $100 increments. She sent emails, and she created a website for her project. She learned about SHALVA and how this organization helps special needs children and their families. She even began an exercise regimen involving running and walking so that she could complete the Jerusalem Marathon. No, she won’t be running 26.2 miles. She will be running/walking a 10k (6.2 miles) through the streets of Jerusalem.

This Shabbat we read from Parsha Terumah. In it, Moshe has re-ascended the mountain in order to receive the laws, and the blueprint, if you will, for the construction of the Mishkan, the portable tabernacle that will eventually permit B’nai Yisroel to gather, to make offerings to God and to provide a physical dwelling for God. If you are an architect, or if you are an interior decorator, this Parsha goes into tremendous detail about Mishkan’s construction and decoration. More than anything, this Parsha is all about fundraising, financial development, and a  community getting behind a concrete common cause as opposed to the shared experience of revelation or shared words of law.

Before all the detail are presented for construction and decoration, God commands Moshe to tell B’nai Yisroel that the funding for this vital public works project will come from each individual V’Yikchu Li Terumah Mei’eit Kol Ish Asher Yidvenu Libo Tikechu et Terumati – They shall take for me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him, you shall take my portion (Ex. 25:2). The holiest spot within the community, the most sacred area is based upon each and every individual apportioning a percentage of their assets to the construction of, decoration of, and maintenance of the Mishkan. How incredibly equitable! Everyone is involved and everyone has a stake in the outcome. All this fundraising success occurs as a result of Yidvenu Libo- literally, he will donate according to his heart. This is not a tax. These funds were to be raised by voluntary donations. The Or Hachayim (Rabbi Chaim Ibn Attar 18^th century Moroccan Talmudist, Torah Commentator and Kabbalist) explains that three phrases, three expressions correspond to three degrees of “gifts”/ “donations”.  He explains that the phrase: Mei’eit Kol Ish, from every man appears superfluous. The verse could have easily be written without it so that the new verse would have read: They shall take for me a portion from anyone whose heart motivates (from anyone willing to donate), you shall take my portion. Why is the phrase necessary? The verse speaks of “Terumah -gift” and “Terumati – my gift.” The term “my gift” cannot be used except when the donor has done so willingly. The donor could not have been coerced. According to the Midrash, this Mishkan, this “mobile worship station” was a form of atonement for Golden Calf (Jerusalem Talmud Shekalim 1:5). This phrase “from every man” indicates that each individual person donated this project above and beyond the designated “atonement tax”.  “From every man” also indicates that economic station and social status was irrelevant. The motivation was based upon “one’s heart” and not some external authority.

As our daughter showed us her SHALVA website which tracked the funds that she raised, I noticed something different about her. She appeared more mature. She seemed to have a sense of self confidence that did not exist prior to this accomplishment.  She also seemed to exude a type of integrity that didn’t exist prior to this project. Our daughter donated several hundred dollars of her own money before she even began asking others to give Yidvenu Libo –according to motivation of one’s heart. She gave whole heartedly touched by the mission of the organization, touched by the children, and empowered to make a difference. Probably the chance to earn a trip to Israel and participate in the Jerusalem Marathon also contributed to her sense of urgency and her passion. Clearly, our daughter was basking in the glow of Terumah, the glow of a gift. Her sense of accomplishment was her gift, and the money raised was SHALVA’s gift. However our daughter also gave us a gift. Our daughter gave us the gift of watching her grow up a bit, mature a bit and begin to blossom into a thoughtful, passionate, committed, intelligent and resourceful young woman. Indeed, as a father of three daughters, I can’t imagine a better gift from than that.

Peace,

Rav Yitz  

And Know The Truth Must Still Lie Somewhere In Between (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Blues for Allah")

With a daughter working for Secretary Hilary Clinton, we have all payed particularly close attention to the very long and winding road that is the Presidential campaign. One of the more intriguing back stories in both the Democratic and Republican campaigns has been how all these candidates finance their respective campaigns. The two candidates with the most interesting approach has been Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, neither for whom would I vote. Trump, a multi billionaire brags that he can finance his own campaign. The result of self-finance, he explains is that he not politically beholden to any special interest group. There are many who vote in the Republican primaries and caucuses who are attracted to Trump for that very reason. Bernie Sanders is the diametric opposite of Trump. He has financed most of his campaign from the private individual donations. Those donations come in the form a few dollars per person. Rarely if at all will there be a donation from a PAC (Political Action Committee) for millions of dollars. The result of being financed primarily through individual donations, he explains, is that he is beholden only to the American people and not the special interest group. There are many who vote in Democratic primaries and caucuses who are attracted to Mr. Sanders for that very reason.  

This Shabbat, we read from Parsha Terumah. In it, Moshe has re-ascended the mountain in order to receive the laws, and the blueprint, if you will, for the construction of the Mishkan, the portable tabernacle that will eventually permit B’nai Yisroel to gather, to make offerings to God and to provide a physical dwelling for God. If you are an architect, or if you are an interior decorator, this Parsha goes into tremendous detail about Mishkan’s construction and decoration. Before all the detail are presented for construction and decoration, God commands Moshe to tell B’nai Yisroel that the funding for this vital public works project will come from each individual V’Yikchu Li Terumah Mei’eit Kol Ish Asher Yidvenu Libo Tikechu et Terumati – They shall take for me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him, you shall take my portion (Ex. 25:2). The holiest spot within the community, the most sacred area is based upon each and every individual apportioning a percentage of their assets to the construction of, decoration of, and maintenance of the Mishkan. How incredibly equitable! Everyone is involved and everyone has a stake in the outcome.

There were no “dues” per se. Rather each individual had to look within him/herself and be brutally honest. Each individual would give as they saw fit. This was a sacred moment between the individual and God. The object was not to give due to social pressure but rather for the holiest of reasons. However such a process requires tremendous honesty. Such a process requires us to be sure that our outside matches our inside. Such a process forces the individual to “mean what you say and say what you mean”. Such a process forces the individual to not only “talk the talk” but walk the walk”. This message is subliminally hinted at when we read about the design of the Aron, the Ark that is to hold the Shnei Luchot Ha’Brit – the Two Stone Tablets upon which are written the Ten Commandments. V’Asu Aron Atzei Shitim – they shall make an Ark of acacia wood (Ex.25:10).  V’Tzipitah Oto Zahav tahor Mibayit U’Michutz T’Tzapenu V’Asita Alav Zeir Zahav Saviv – You shall cover it with pure gold, from within and from without shall you cover it, and you shall make on it a gold crown all around (Ex. 25:11).  It makes sense that the outside of the Ark is covered with gold since that will be viewed by the people. However what is the reason for lining the arc with pure gold from the inside? Rabeinu Chananel, the 11^th century North African Talmudist, comments that this arrangement symbolized the Talmudic dictum that a Torah scholar must be consistent; his inner character must match his public demeanor, his actions must conform to his professed beliefs. However there is no reason to limit such sentiment to Torah scholars. Kol Ish Asher Yidvenuy Libo Tikechu et Terumati – every man whose heart motivates him you shall take my portion. Every man should be motivated to be consistent. Every person’s actions should conform to his/her professed beliefs, and his or her beliefs should be expressed by behavior.

            Every day, we face the struggle to keep the pure gold that exists within our insides the same as the pure gold that exists on the outside. The object is to never tarnish that which lies within nor that which lies with out. So every opportunity we have to express holiness, whether Mitzvot l’Ben Adam L’Chavero – Mitzvot that pertains between people or Mitzvot L’Hashem – Mitzvot that pertain to God, must be taken advantage of. For in our neglect to do so, we tarnish the most precious aspect, our souls’ purity and holiness. The same idea holds for these two men with their unique methods of financing a campaign (as well as for the other candidates). The issue is not so much of accepting donations or not leaves one beholden to no one, someone or everyone. Rather it seems much more important that these candidates are beholden to themselves and their moral code. That is to say, their insides, match their outsides. That is how the voters will judge authenticity. That is how the voters will be able to judge is a candidates word and deed are consistent.  

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Full Of Hope, Full Of Grace Is The Human Face - (John Barlow & Bob Weir- "Throwing Stones")

One of the joys of parenthood as well as the inconveniences of parenting occurs when I have to help my children with homework or a school project. It’s a joyous exercise because, hopefully, I will see our children intellectually stimulated and engaged. Watching our children think and arrive at the answer or a possible answer; might very well be one of the top activities I get to witness. However the inconvenience lies in the fact that sometimes they are intellectually lazy, they aren’t interested in learning but only desire the answer. Very few things leave me more frustrated than my children exhibiting intellectual laziness. The other day I had a difficult but joyous moment with our ten year old son.  Earlier in the week, we all watched the news out of the Middle East; the growing evil known as ISIS and the recent be-headings of more than 20 Egyptian Christians on the shores of Libya. We all watched; we were all repulsed; and we all wondered when this evil will be vanquished.  Later that night I was helping our son with a book report. He needed me to help him find pictures that focused upon the Ukrainian and Polish partisans that fought against the Nazis. Needless to say we found some pictures of partisans taken by partisans and we found many pictures of Partisans taken by Nazis. Needless to say the pictures taken by Nazis always featured the Partisan corpses, either hanging on a gallows or, piled in an open grave. Some showed partisans in Nazi custody.  Only pictures taken by partisans or the press featured partisans alive and free. As our son continued to scan the pictures looking for something appropriated for his book report, he began to well up and he found it more and more difficult to look.  Finally he said that he couldn’t look anymore and asked why there was and continues to be so much evil. “The world is such an ugly place.” Then he hugged me.  For a moment I had no words. For what seemed like an interminable amount of time, I couldn’t think of what to say, I couldn’t find words of comfort; words that my son needed to hear.

This week’s Parshah is Terumah. Terumah means “a portion”. In the context of this week’s Parsha, the portion in question is the portion of wealth that B’nai Yisroel would dedicate to the construction of the Aron, the ark that would hold the Luchot Habrit (the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written), the lamp, the table, and the material for the Ohel Moed (the tent of the meeting). All of which comprised the Mishkan or the Tabernacle. If you are in construction, interior design, or architecture, the details in Parsha Terumah are fascinating; and if you’re not then all those details might seem a bit dry. Whether a fan or not, whether an architect or not, there are certain objects, the construction of which is nothing less than miraculous and perhaps more allegorical than literal in meaning. However what is not allegorical but rather spiritually re-assuring given the myriad of laws that we have read from Yitro and Mishpatim is the goodness and kindness in the human soul.

There are two moment in the Parsha that stand in stark contrast to assumptions about human nature from Parsha Mishpatim. In the previous Parsha, when we read about the prohibition of accepting bribes, perverting justice, selling servants to third parties rather than returning to them to their original owner;  we understand that there is an assumption that human nature is not so wonderful. In fact one could argue that we are supposed to rise above human nature, rise above our animal like inclination, Yetzer HaRah (the evil inclination), and be better. So when we read that God wants to live among Bnai Yisroel: V’Asu Li Mikdash  V’Shachanti B’Tocham; a Godly aspect would only do so if the dwelling, if the people’s behavior merited God’s presence.  Certainly the physical qualities of the structure would be impressive but more important is the fact that Shechinah would dwell among Bnai Yisroel as long as they did not succumb to human nature. Not succumbing to human nature became evident immediately. Before the construction, before the blueprints, Bnai Yisroel already operated above human nature. They contributed materials Kol Ish Asher Yidvenu Libo – ‘every man whose heart motivates him’ (Ex.25:1). Contributions were based upon the most divine aspect of their souls. Every aspect of the process focused upon that part of the human soul that was beyond human nature. That divine aspect merited God’s presence in the camp. That divine aspect galvanized a community, and figured out how to serve God in a way that appealed to the best of humanity.

I finally figured out the words that might bring comfort to our son as he could only see darkness, evil, and awful way in which people have been treating each other for centuries. Like the Aron would be a beautiful gold arc carrying the Ten Commandments, like people contributed selflessly rather than selfishly; I was reminded that the world has a lot of beauty. I told our son that despite what he had seen on the news and the pictures he saw while putting together his book report; the world had lots of beauty. Maybe we have to look a bit harder to find the beauty rather than ugliness, but it is there and when we find it we appreciate that much more. I reminded him that he should always work hard and search for the beauty in spite of the all the ugly he will encounter.

Peace,

Rav Yitz