Noa’s Dvar Torah - 29 February 2020

PARASHAT TERUMAH

I would like to welcome and thank everyone who came this morning, my family, especially those who travelled far to be here today, my friends, my Ivriah classmates, Rabbi Rebecca, John, for being my amazing teacher and the congregation. Thank you for coming and supporting me today.

I come from a mixed background, my mum is Jewish, and my Dad is Catholic so growing up I was exposed to both religions. I called myself Jewish, but I never really thought much about it. My mum and I went to synagogue on the High Holidays and as a family we celebrated the festivals at home. My Saba is very religious, and we always went to Canada for Passover. So, I got also got a different perspective of Judaism from him.

As I grew up I went to some of my friends Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s, and because of my mum’s work I was exposed to Anne Frank and her experience and I found out that I really did feel a strong connection to this tradition, so I decided to have a Bat Mitzvah. So, it wasn’t about the party as my mum had originally said no party! The horror, I know.

My family and I spoke to a few rabbis and we found that FPS really suited us. One of the things that was important to me was that I wanted to take this journey with friends, and this was one of the places that welcomed that. I wanted this for myself, to solidify my connection. It was a voluntary decision to participate much like the portion which I will read today where G-d asks the Israelites to build a Mikdash, a safe place where we all meet together because we all have a common goal to understand, express and exalt our Judaism.

I have chosen to read from our very special Sephardi scroll because of my Moroccan heritage – my Saba grew up in Tangier. I wanted to use the Sephardic scroll partially because my mother suggested it but also because I wanted to link back to my roots. My roots are important to me because they remind me that no matter where we live or where we are in the world family is so important.

My Torah portion is Parashat T’rumah. At this stage of the story the Israelites have escaped from bondage in Egypt and have accepted the 10 commandments, and they have been commanded by G-d to build a sanctuary, Mikdash, also known as the Tabernacle.

I quote:

“And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). 

This concept - the idea of a human home for G-d is not easy to grasp. I also discovered that there were loads of opinions and commentaries on it. Here are a few opinions that I thought were interesting. So why did we need to build it?

• Maybe because the Jews needed a little bit of faith while they were in the desert. Maybe the people wanted to attempt to “concretize” God through making a special sanctuary that let them experience God in one special place.

• Possibly it was put in place to show that G-d was in charge and all Jews should recognise that?

• G-d, the maker of heaven and earth can be found everywhere and is within us because we strive to be more generous, more loving, more just, He is what makes us try to be a better person. 

• Are sanctuaries really necessary for worshiping G-d.

I believe the Mikdash was built for all those reasons and more. but probably not totally as we will bring up the situation that was meant to have been forgiven again and again.

The building of the Mikdash forced the Israelites to work together in order to fulfil a common goal and prepare for a common future. I am going to take this concept towards my GCSE studies and more importantly my whole life. I will share work, notes, stresses, teachings such that all my class can get great results. G-d is telling us that we are stronger and better working together as a team.

The Torah makes clear that the Mikshan was to be built by and depended on every, man, woman and child, regardless of their spiritual or social status. This could only have been possible after the giving of the Torah, when the Jewish people were transformed into a new type of human being. In the opening words of the Ten Commandments, "I am the Eternal, your God," God announced that He made His essence—which transcends the limitations of the natural order—the inner essence of every Jew. Thus, even a Jew whose superficial motives appear self-oriented, can build a dwelling for God and God alone.

I quote:

God instructs Moses: “Bring me an offering; of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. (Exodus 25:1)” 

The Israelites were not only to provide the labour, but also the raw materials for the Mikdash. The gifts, and some of those requested were very precious BUT they were ALL voluntary I believe, not through guilt, coercion, or competition but from within each soul. The giving should be ‘whoever’s heart moves them to give.’

Voluntary giving is different for everyone. A rich person could give greater sums, whilst a person of more modest means might not have the capacity to give at such large levels. Nevertheless, each person can and should give. Its not the quantity that counts it’s the quality of the giving, giving a voluntary offering is a privilege, not a burden. It can be money, but it can also be time, support, taking the time to listen to a friend. Giving freely from deep within our hearts must come honestly and without strings. 

I quote:

I will continue to look deep within myself to seek and find what I can give back to this community and each time I give freely I bring G-d into my life.

I now understand better why as part of this Bat Mitzvah journey there is a “Tzedakah project”, a charity project because by giving back to the community each time I will bring a piece of G-d into my heart and I become a better person for it. For my project I will raise money in a triathlon for Youth Aliyah Child Rescue. This increasing awareness is reflected in our increasing selflessness. It helps us to believe not only in ourselves but in everyone.

To answer the question, I started with why did we build the Mikdash? for me through this place, its classes and prayers I found my Jewish connection and this place is here because all of us gave willingly. But I also learned that whether here or elsewhere G-d is within me, but sometimes we all need a sacred spot for reflection.

My portion I read today specifically writes about the construction of the Menorah

I quote:

“And you shall make a menorah of pure gold hammered work it shall be, its base, its stem, its sepals, and its blossoms shall be of one piece. (Exodus 25:1)”. 

The first thing that struck me as I learned this portion was how beautifully the construction was described and with such care, I could imagine the scribe writing the immaculate words down and imagine the creation of such a stupendous object.

It has the six branches inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central branch.

We all have a special object that reminds us of our belief, big or small, it’s out there. My special object is a menorah my family owns, it’s a Noah’s ark menorah (my namesake). Whenever we light it, it reminds me of my faith that I have to these traditions that have been passed down over the centuries.

In conclusion, the main point that I take away is that the building of the Menorah, like the Mikdash,  was a product of teamwork by a community that is strong and selfless, much like the one I stand before today.

So, let us together embark on this journey to show through in our hearts the goodness and selflessness that we all have within us, this is G-d’s greatest gift to us, our ability to work together and believe in ourselves.