Bostoner Torah Insights: Bostoner ‘Chassidus’ in Hebrew and English: Parshas Terumah – 4 Adar 5786
Bostoner Torah Insights - Yerushalayim
Bostoner Torah Insights
Bostoner ‘Chassidus’ in English
Parshas Terumah – 4 Adar 5786
Bostoner Rebbe shlit’a – Yerushalayim
Secretariat Email: bosto...@gmail.com
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
The Talmud Yerushalmi (Shekalim 1:1) points out that the word Terumah appears three times in the opening pesukim of Parshas Terumah: “Speak to Bnei Yisrael and let them take for Me a Terumah… from every person whose heart motivates him you shall take My Terumah. And this is the Terumah that you shall take from them…” (Shemos 25:2–3).
In the name of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, Chazal explain that these refer to three categories of Terumah given at that time. The phrase “let them take for Me a Terumah” refers to the mandatory half-shekel donation used for the silver sockets, the physical foundation of the Mishkan. This was a one-time contribution in history. The phrase “you shall take My Terumah” corresponds to the mandatory half-shekel used to purchase communal offerings. This was an ongoing annual collection throughout the generations while the Mikdash stood. For this half-shekel, announcements were made beginning Rosh Chodesh Adar (Shekalim 1:1) so the funds would be ready for the new year starting Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The final phrase, “This is the Terumah,” refers to a third category — voluntary donations of money and materials for the construction of the Mishkan, with no fixed amount.
The Yerushalmi (also cited in Bavli Megillah 29b) notes that the word Terumah appears three times again in Parshas Shekalim, which we read as the special maftir: “half a shekel as a Terumah to Hashem… shall give the Terumah of Hashem… to give the Terumah of Hashem to atone for your souls” (Shemos 30:13–15), again alluding to these three categories.
Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch (Ki Sisa 30:16) suggests that this third category — the open-ended contribution — was not limited to the Mishkan. Rather, it continued as the mitzvah of Bedek HaBayis, supporting the maintenance and upkeep of the Mikdash. Today, our contributions toward maintaining the synagogue, our Mikdash Mi’at, can be seen on some level as a continuation of that mitzvah.
It may be suggested that these three types of Terumah correspond to the three components of a Jewish person: guf, nefesh, and neshama. The guf, the physical body, is represented by the contribution for the silver sockets, the physical foundation of the Mishkan. Just as a person receives a physical body once at birth, so too the sockets required a one-time contribution. The nefesh, the part of the person that lives, acts, and serves Hashem in this world, is represented by the annual half-shekel used for communal korbanos, since atonement and avodah were the primary function of the Beis HaMikdash.
The neshama, the transcendent spiritual dimension that reaches beyond this world, is represented by the voluntary category of Terumah, which had no set amount and supported the broader functioning of the Mikdash. Beyond the korbanos, the Beis HaMikdash was a place of miracles — the Menorah, the Lechem HaPanim, and the Mizbach HaKetores — a place where the Shechinah dwelled and the presence of Hashem was tangibly felt. Similarly, beyond basic obligation, a person can choose to cultivate the neshama within, striving for higher spiritual levels through deeper Torah learning and more meaningful mitzvah observance. This level cannot be imposed; it depends on the individual “whose heart motivates him” to give.
Today we cannot fulfill the mitzvah of the actual half-shekel, but we give coins during the month of Adar as a remembrance of the Machatzis HaShekel. Many have the custom to give three half-coins, alluding to the three categories of Terumah given by the generation that received the Torah. May it be Hashem’s will that we refine our guf, nefesh, and neshama, and through this merit fulfill the mitzvah of Machatzis HaShekel in its complete form. May we merit the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash, experience the atonement of the korbanos, and once again behold the Oro Shel Olam speedily in our days.
--