Teruma – The Unseen Gift

In Parshas Teruma, Hashem instructs Moshe on the construction of the Mishkan. Towards the end of the parsha, Hashem gives Moshe specific instructions regarding the boards that will form the frame of the Mishkan. He commands Moshe, "You shall make the boards for the Tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright." Rashi clarifies that the definite article 'the' indicates specific boards. Drawing from the Yalkut Shimoni, he clarifies that this pertains to boards that were already designated for this purpose. Our forefather Yaakov had planted cedars in Egypt, and before his death, he instructed his sons to take them with them when they left Egypt, saying, “in the future, the Holy Blessed One will command the construction of a Mishkan in the desert from shittim trees. Make sure they are ready in your possession!"

As Yaakov journeys to Mitzrayim, he is filled with joy at the prospect of reuniting with his son Yosef after enduring many years of pain and sorrow. However, he is also aware that he will not return to his ancestral homeland during his lifetime, as the Egyptian exile is set to commence upon his descent in the foreign land. Despite this, Yaakov possesses the foresight to look beyond the present moment, recognizing that in approximately 200 years, the Jews will be instructed to construct a Mishkan. To prepare for this future, he brings acacia trees and plants them along his route for the Jews to utilize in its building.

Why Wood and Not Jewels?

Many questions can be raised about the Medrash that Rashi cites. Why did Yaakov choose to provide wood for the construction of the Mishkan? Would it not have been more fitting for him to have brought and concealed the valuable gems, gold, or silver for the Mishkan's building? Did Hashem not provide the nation with the other necessary materials? It is reasonable to assume that Hashem could have also provided these items. One could argue that Yaakov's actions were simply a means of participating in such a sacred project. However, it is also possible that Yaakov was attempting to convey a deeper message to his descendants.

Often, individuals find themselves captivated by the glamorous and flashy elements of life. This is true not only in the context of physical and ordinary pursuits but also when engaging in mitzvos and performing acts of chessed for others. It is remarkably easy to become fixated on appearances. Certainly, the mitzva of 'Zeh Keili v’anvayhu' instructs us to beautify our mitzvos. Possessing a beautiful tallis and a more mehudar pair of tefillin is indeed praiseworthy. We are encouraged to arrange our Seder table with our finest dishes and silver. However, there is a vast array of other matters that deserve our focus. However, there is significantly more to concentrate on beyond mere external appearances.

Inside or Outside

In what manner do we engage with the purchasing of the beautiful items that we incorporate into our service of Hashem? Are these purchases and their associated costs intended to impress the individual beside me in Shul or my neighbors? Is it genuinely the for the purpose of 'Zeh Keili v’anvayhu' that the item is so extravagant? Hashem desires our hearts. What truly matters is what lies within us. Reb Eli Stefansky frequently reiterates his well-known statement that Judaism is rooted in the mind and heart.

Perhaps, Yaakov deliberately chose to guarantee the availability of the wood required for the boards of the Mishkan, as these boards would be plated with precious metals and then covered with skins and tapestries. They were not visible to the nation. Rather, they were obscured from the eyes of the people. However, they provided essential stability to the structure of the Mishkan. Yaakov understood that the stability of the Mishkan must derive from a source that is both pure and holy. The stability of the Mishkan had to be rooted in the purest intentions from its establishment. As the choicest of the Avos, Yaakov was uniquely equipped to provide these boards.

The boards lacked glamour. they would not have received the same oohs and aahs as the  gold, silver, or precious stones that would be donated Nevertheless, they were essential in supporting the Mishkan. Yaakov was imparting to his descendants that life holds more significance than just the glittering aspects. The innermost essence of a Jewish individual's heart must remain untainted. Of course, individuals can and should have lovely homes, and the items used for mitzvos should be splendid in their looks, but the primary focus must be on the inner qualities of the person and that they are serving Hashem.

As we rapidly approach the celebrations of Purim and subsequently Pesach, let us remember the lesson of the acacia wood. It is the concealed aspects that should be robust and offer stability to our homes. Strive to ensure that everything is as pleasant as possible, not just on the exterior but also within.