Parshat Terumah: The Origin of the Gift Registry

This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Terumah (Ex 25-27:19) begins, “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the people of Israel, that they bring me an offering;” and then comes a part that has long intrigued me. The verse continues, “…from every man that gives it willingly with his heart you shall take my offering.” What does the phrase “gives it willingly with his heart” mean? Is this a commandment from God to give a gift or is it a suggestion – if a man feels like it, he should give me a gift?

The Parshah continues with what I eventually decided is the first gift registry: “And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, and silver, and bronze, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and goats’ skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set on the ephod, and on the breastplate.” (25:3-7) 

If God were to command that the people give gifts, these specific gifts, and someone didn’t have the item or enough of the item, then it would be as if they were disobeying God’s command. Not a situation that anyone would want to find themselves in. But perhaps, the fact fact that it specifies that the gift should come willingly from the heart, this might signify something like an equivalent of a modern sliding scale. Each should give from the heart according to their desire and ability.

And what is the purpose of these gifts? “Let them make me a Mishkan/sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (25:8) The purpose is to use these materials to build the Mishkan, the portable Tabernacle/sanctuary. The Mishkan will be a material reminder that God’s presence dwells amongst God’s people. Given the experience of the Exodus and Revelation, one would assume that the people knew that God dwelt among them. But they were, after all, only human. And humans often require reminders, tangible reminders, of that which one might think obvious. Once we are in the Holy Land, the Temple will be built as a permanent dwelling place for God’s presence. But until then, the portable Mishkan will remind them that God is with them during their travels. It also reminds them that their contributions made this aide de memoire possible.

As we enter this month of Adar, the month that is traditionally associated with Purim and joy, may we remember that much of the joy of life comes through our relationships. Relationships with God, with family, with friends, with stranger who might become friends – relationships that come in many shapes and forms.