17 Feb TERUMAH: AVODAS HASHEM IS FOR US

The Zohar (Chadash
7:) writes, “Klal
Yisrael gives
parnassah to their
Father in heaven.”
The Nefesh HaChaim
(2:6) explains that
just as food makes the
connection between
body and neshamah
(and without food, the
neshamah departs),
similarly, the Zohar
teaches, Hashem’s
connection to the world is from the
mitzvos that Klal Yisrael perform.
The Divrei Yisrael zt’l (Kedoshim) writes
in the name of his grandfather, Rebbe
Yechezkel of Kozmir zt’l that this Zohar
refers to our generation as well. Even
today, we (keviyachol) give Hashem
parnassah with our good deeds.
“Whoever doesn’t say so is a fool. We
are running Hashem’s store. In the past,
it was a big store, and there was an
abundance of parnassah. But today, it is
up to us to give Hashem parnassah. If not

from us, then from where does Hashem
get His parnassah? From the Arabs?
From the descendants of Eisav? Even if
our parnassah is minimal, nevertheless,
we are giving keviyachol, to Hashem
today.”
On the words (25:2) V’Yikchu Li
Terumah, the Saraf of Mogalentza zt’l
explains that Hashem requests that we
should elevate Him (keviyachol) with our
good deeds. (Terumasi Means to elevate.)
And don’t think that Hashem asks this
only from the great tzaddikim. Rather,
Mai’eis Kol Ish…Tikchu Es Terumasi,
Hashem wants to be elevated by every
Yid. The Saraf of Mogalentza explains
that Hashem knew from the beginning
of time that this generation would come
to the world, and He wanted our avodah.
This tells us that every Yid and every
generation has the potential to elevate
Hashem (keviyachol) when they perform
His service.
The Midrash (Shemos Rabba 34:1) writes
on the pasuk (25:10) “Hakadosh Baruch
Hu never requests from His creations
more than they can do. When Hashem

gave them the Torah at Har Sinai, He came
to them according to their strength. This
is as it states (Tehillim 29:4) according
to the strength of each individual. Also,
when Hakadosh Baruch Hu told Moshe
to build a Mishkan, Moshe wondered,
‘Hashem’s honor fills the upper and the
lower worlds, and He is asking for a
Mishkan?! [How can we possibly build
a Mishkan sufficient for Hashem to dwell
there?].’ Hakadosh Baruch Hu replies, ‘I
do not intend as you think. I am asking
for twenty kerashim (planks) on the north
side, twenty on the southern side, and
eight to the west. And…I will bring the
Shechinah to dwell within a square amah
(of the Kodesh HaKadoshim).’”
This is an important lesson: Hashem
doesn’t expect from us more than we can
do, and our limited abilities are sufficient
in Hashem’s eyes.
The Chasam Sofer discusses the nesi’im
who wanted to bring precious stones for
the choshen (which were needed for the
service in the Mishkan), but how was it
possible to obtain them in the desert?

With all their heart, the nesi’im wanted
to bring this donation to Hashem, so
Hashem helped them. Chazal tell us that
the gems fell from heaven along with the
manna. When we want to serve Hashem,
Hashem helps us succeed. The Chasam
Sofer said that this is alluded to in the
words, asher yid’bnu libo, all you need to
do is to desire and yearn to serve Hashem,
and that will be enough. Miraculously,
Hashem will grant you siyata d’shmaya,
and you will succeed.