With T'rumah (gift), we begin a series of five Torah portions which will bring us to the close of the book of Sh'mot (Exodus): (1) T'rumah, (2) T'tzaveh, (3) Ki Tissa, (4) vaYak'hel and (5) P'kudei.  With the exception of Ki Tissa, every single one of these parshiyot is devoted to some aspect of the construction of the Mishkan - the portable Sanctuary which was the physical and spiritual center of the Israelite encampment on their journey to the land of Canaan.  Even Ki Tissa begins by mentioning the half-shekel donation of silver that went to the creation of the sockets for the boards that would hold up the central structure, the incense, and the designation of Betzalel to oversee its construction.
 
Details are given on the raw materials and the design of the furnishings:
  

• the Ark of the Covenant 
• its Cover with the two cherubim which went into the Holy of Holies 
• the Table for the showbread
• the Menorah
• the Altar of incense (mentioned at the end of T'tzaveh)
• All were placed in the section of the Tabernacle in front of the Holy of Holies.

• The Tent layer made of blue, purple and crimson yarn
• The Tent made of goat hair
• The Tent cover made of red-dyed ram skins and
• The Cover made of tachash skins (this word is difficult to translate: some say it means "dolphin" and others say that it was a unique animal with a skin that reflected the colors of the rainbow created for this specific purpose) 
• The 15 foot Boards made of Acacia wood which stood vertically to form the structure of the Tabernacle
• The cloth partition that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy area of the Tabernacle structure and
• The cloth partition that formed the entrance to the Tabernacle
• The main Altar on which the sacrifices were burned
• (The bronze laver which contained the water for the priests to wash their hands and feet, mentioned in Ki Tissa)
• The pillars and cloths which outlined the Courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle and
• The Screen that formed the Entrance to the Courtyard.

In the week that follows we will learn about the special clothing for the High Priest and his fellow priests and the ceremony to dedicate the Tabernacle.  Clearly, there was a lot of attention to detail which will be told and retold from various viewpoints until the close of the book.  Why the need for all this detail?
   
The word Mishkan (Tabernacle) means "dwelling place" - in other words, the location where the Divine Presence rested.  It meant that there was a location in this physical world where God could be tangibly sensed.  There could be no more important place than this!  It could be considered a portable Mt. Sinai! In fact, the book of Leviticus opens with a description of how the voice of God spoke to Moses from above the Ark Cover.  It was the manifestation of God's love of the Israelite nation, clearly demonstrating God's deepest "desire" to "dwell" amidst humanity centuries before King Solomon would build the Holy Temple in Jerusalem!
   
Every element of its construction carried with it deep symbolism indicating what it would take for human beings to "deserve" God's Presence among them.  It was a precursor of the Time we still long for in the statement we say three times a day in the Aleynu: "Ad-nay will be King over the entire Earth; on that day Ad-nay will be One and His Name shall be One."

With sadness I note the passing of Gail Baer, wife of the late Heinz Baer and mother of Harvey (Petra) Baer, Joyce (Benji) Levin and Deborah (Rick) Bly.  Gail was filled with what could only be called "European charm". She loved the chance to join our congregation on Shabbat mornings with her assistant for as long as she could following the loss of Heinz.
   
Mazal tov to our Kallah Lauren Lichtenfeld and our Chossen Brad Abel on their forthcoming wedding motz'ei Shabbat.  Congratulations go to the bride's parents, BSKI members Steven & Ruth-Ellen Lichtenfeld and parents of the groom Elliot & Sandra Abel.  Brad is a past-president and active member of our Men's Club while Lauren has worked in areas of outreach to our single members.
   
Mazel tov to Sara (née O'Connell) &Jonathan Schack on the birth Aaron Michael born this past January 23rd.  We're sure that grandparents Arlene &Tim are kvelling with joy.
   
Best belated wishes to Jennifer Jacobs & Jeff Stettner whose baby son Jordan Blake arrived last October 25, 2009.  Grandparents Randee & Myron Jacobs (who leads us at morning minyan every Tuesday) have much to be grateful for, especially in the knowledge that Randee's late father Jordan Brown has a new namesake.
   
It's with much joy that I share the news that Asher Solomon Frederick Rosen, son of Ann Leslie & Scott Rosen, brother of Liana & Gillian Rosen, grandson of Lynn & Howard Rosen and Paula & Aaron Hamvas, great-grandson of Bernie Rosen (who served as Sandek), was welcomed into the Covenant of Abraham last Sunday at the home of Paula & Aaron.  It's worth noting that this is the first time that the maternal grandparents have had the opportunity to celebrate a bris in their family!
   
May this Shabbat help you discover your personal T'rumah (gift) which you can dedicate to help bring the Presence of God into this world.
   
Shabbat Shalom!
   
Rabbi Mordecai Miller