B"H

Friday, Adar1- 7, 5784 / February 16, 2024

This week's Parsha, Terumah, is about the building of the Mishkan and its contents; the Aron (ark), the Kaporet (ark cover), the Shulchan (table), the Menorah (candelabra) and the Mizbe'ach (altar).  The Torah details the materials, measurements, and construction of each component of the sanctuary.

The Torah states, "And they shall make an ark…and you shall overlay it with pure gold from within and from without… And you shall put into the ark the testimony (two Tablets).  And you shall make an ark-cover of pure gold... And you shall make two Cherubim of gold at the two ends of the ark-cover... And the Cherubim shall be spreading their wings on high covering with their wings over the ark-cover and their faces one toward the other..."  

The Aron (ark) contained both sets of Tablets; the first Tablets, which were given to him in heaven and Moshe broke when he saw the Jewish people worshipping the Golden Calf. The broken pieces were in the ark, as well as the second set of Tablets.

Each of the two golden "Cherubim" on the ark cover had the face of a child –one face of a boy and the other of a girl. Each had wings which extended upwards, as the Torah states, "And the Cherubim shall be spreading out their wings on high, screening with their wings the ark-cover, with their faces one toward the other."

The Cherubim teach us two very important lessons.  First, the guardians of the Torah are the children. Teaching our boys and girls Torah, and teaching them the practice of mitzvot, when they are still young, is the only way to guarantee our continuity as Jews.  

Another lesson is that we must face and see each other.  There must be love and harmony between us. These two factors were in fact the pre-conditions for G-d's giving the Torah to the Jewish people.

Also, the “Cherubim shall be spreading out their wings on high… with their faces one toward the other, teaches us that our commitment toward G-d (on high) and our commitment towards each other go hand in hand. One cannot accomplish one without the other.

Today, the 7th of Adar, is the Yartzeit (day of passing) of Moshe Rabeinu (Moses). On this date, Moshe was born and on the same day, 120 years later, Moshe passed away.  The Torah tells us that there never was, nor will there ever be, a prophet like Moshe, who saw G-d "face to face" (Deut. 34:10).

Moshe's greatness is also expressed in his humility.  As the Torah says, "Moshe was the most humble person upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3).  Indeed, true greatness goes hand-in-hand with great humility. May his merit bring blessings to all.  Amen.

UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL

& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RELEASED NOW.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 5:04 / Shabbat ends: 6:09