This week’s Torah portion is called Terumah. This was the first capital campaign in history.
And it was a success!
Gd wanted to create a permanent place where Gd could “dwell” so to speak, among the people.
The Tabernacle, or Mishkan in Hebrew, was meant to be the central point of the Jewish people. The encampment of the nation would be set up with the Mishkan in the middle to signify the centrality of Gd in our lives.
It would be a place where one could elevate oneself spiritually.
The Mishkan served this purpose and then it’s function was carried on later in history in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Nowadays, our places of worship and our homes are the spaces we can connect spiritually and continue our journey through the desert of life.
What was the goal of the campaign?
The Mishkan was a work of art. It’s vessels and the uniforms worn within the Tabernacle by the priests were made from 13 types of raw materials which were donated by the Jewish people.
All these items needed to be collected.
The materials included precious metals, such as gold, silver and copper. Different types of materials such as linen and animal skins were amongst the items needed, as well as acacia wood, and precious gems such as diamonds.
This campaign was a fundraiser’s dream.
The donations came in fast and furious and all the needs were quickly addressed.
All that was needed to construct the Mishkan had been given.
One of the types of animal skins that were donated were the tachash skins.
There is a difference of opinion (what a surprise) as to the nature of the tachash.
The Targum, the traditional Aramaic translation of the Torah, says the tachash was a sasgona. This is a conjugation of two words. Sas and Gona. This means that it was an animal that was sas, which means happy, regarding its gona or gevanim, which means it’s many colors.
Apparently, this was a multi colored animal that joyfully appreciated the various hues of its skin.
The Midrash goes on to explain that this unusual animal was a large, wild, kosher animal that had a single horn, (unicorns are in the Torah!) and it’s skin was made of six colors and it was very large.
Rashi, the super commentator, teaches that Gd created the tachash for the sole purpose of being used in the coverings of the Mishkan. Therefore it existed during the time building of the Mishkan and then it disappeared.

What can we learn from the tachash?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that this creature was the only creation that was used exclusively for holy purposes.
It illustrates to us that the ultimate purpose of a creation is to be used in the service of Gd.
One therefore has the opportunity to dedicate one’s actions and behaviors in the service of Gd, to act in an elevated manner.
The tachash also sported a coat of different colors and shades.
And the tachash apparently rejoiced in its uniqueness.
Rabbi Ilan Feldman shared that this is a message for us.
One can rejoice in all the colors and shades.
Sometimes the colors will be bold and beautiful, at other times they may be muted and somber. The challenge is to revel in each “color” and appreciate the opportunities of growth they provide.
Not only are the circumstances of life providing opportunities, says Rabbi Feldman, but each person is comprised of so many shades, each one full of beauty.
When we look at another, we can see so many colors, the unique hues that each precious individual brings to the world.
That multicolored personna is complex and deep and brings beauty and joy to the world.
There is always another aspect, another prism, to be explored which will bring deeper understanding and beauty to our existence.
Lessons from the war.
I recently saw a photograph of an older, rabbinical man, smiling broadly. He stands between two soldiers. Apparently, this man carries wafers and candy to hand out to the soldiers to thank them for their duty. He tells them to tell their moms that their prayers have been answered as they turned out incredible humans.
The picture was taken after the rabbi got on a crowded train. Immediately, two young soldiers jumped up to give him their seats. He refused, saying that he would never take seats from heroes. After chatting a bit the rabbi discovered that these soldiers were returning from months long tours of duty in Gaza, they were exhausted, yet they stood up for him.
He wanted to take a picture of them as he wanted a memento of meeting two heroes of our nation.
Different stripes perhaps but we rejoice in all the colors.
It is a rejoicing in those living in service of Gd.
Gems of many colors were also donated in the Mishkan.
They would be used for the breast plate the High Priest would wear. Each stone would be engraved with the name of one of the 12 Tribes.
One of the gems needed was a Diamond, for the tribe of Zebulon.
Lessons from the war.
This past week we experienced a true miracle. An incredible operation took place.
Hundreds of soldiers participated in a fierce battle to extricate and secure the release of two precious hostages.
If you listen to the radio interactions between the soldiers you hear something incredible.
The code name for the hostages is “Diamonds”.
You hear the commander shouting into his radio, “the diamonds are in our hands”.
In a moving interview, the released hostages were emotionally thanking the soldiers who saved them.
One of them said, you called us diamonds but you are the diamonds. When you saved us I felt a sense of security I had never previously experienced. You, dear soldiers, are the diamonds.
When we build a sanctuary that is going to be a place to connect to Gd, we need to infuse the structure with certain characteristics in order for it to stand, for it to truly serve as a place of connection.
We need to build a sanctuary that is built on respect.
It must be a place where we can see the differences between ourselves and see them as points of light and joy that we can appreciate in one another.
We have to see each other as the gems we truly represent.
In the words of my dear friend Alison Feldman, the Torah portion encapsulates who we are as a nation. Each material which was brought served a specific purpose to create a sanctified space. So too the Jewish people. Each one brings their own unique skill set or offering as they enter the stage of their space in this world and we combine all those talents to create a sanctuary.
“Because when we are together, we can feel Gd’s presence…”
These past 132 days there have been many, many offerings.
Our people have donated their best materials, the most shining gems amongst us.
Each donation has been whole hearted. We read the letters left behind and we are awed by the devotion our precious soldiers to our nation.
May these ultimate offerings bring us to peace and the building of the Temple, the ultimate sanctuary, where we will see the beauty in all the shades and hues of the Jewish people.
Speedily in our days!
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!