This week’s Torah portion teaches us about the kohanim, the special Jewish priests. They had the important job of conducting services in the Tabernacle and guiding the people to become the best they could be. The high priest, the kohen gadol, wore an especially beautiful uniform that was made up of holy and meaningful objects that helped

Every component of the Mishkan is iconic. Each article symbolizes a different aspect of religious experience. From the materials to the fabrics, from the dimensions to the ritual ceremonies, each detail of the Mishkan contains profound religious symbolism.

Though every part of the Mishkan is

(Courtesy of Halftime for Torah) A year has come and gone and the Super Bowl is back for its 56th edition. As you gather with family or friends, you will find the Cincinnati Bengals facing off against the Los Angeles Rams in their own brand-new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, although the Bengals will serve as the home team. A Rams

When the foundation of the famed Volozhin Yeshiva was being poured, Rav Chaim Volozhin, the founder and rosh yeshiva, stood there saying Tehillim for hours, with tears flowing. Rav Chaim explained that the foundation of a building provides its stability and structure. If the foundation is poor, the building will collapse. Rav Chaim

“Bring gifts for Me… Let them make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell amongst them.” (Shemot 25:2,8)

“For me”; this is what Hashem emphasizes by using the word li. In the first pesukim of the parsha, Hashem uses the term in reference to the collection of funds for and the building of the Mishkan.

In Parshat Terumah, Hashem gave Moshe instructions to tell Bnei Yisrael that they may donate items in order to build Him a place to dwell. To donate is the root of the parsha’s name as well as the action that Hashem is telling Moshe to instruct to Bnei Yisrael. Not only is this parsha about donating in general, but donating to Hashem.

In the first seven pesukim of parshat Terumah, there are either things missing or things that do not belong.

The parsha begins by identifying items needed for constructing the Mishkan and the Kohanim’s garments. Moshe is told to take: “gold, silver, and copper; blue, purple, and crimson wool; linen

Parshat Terumah begins with the mitzvah of asking each person to give a portion. Rashi translates this as requiring each person to set aside a portion of one’s resources for a higher purpose. R. Samson Raphael Hirsch goes on to elaborate that the word “terumah,” comes from the root word meaning to uplift. The effect of the

Rebecca was raised in a Reform Jewish family from Long Island, where she and her family belonged to a synagogue, attending services each year on the High Holidays. Like so many other young Jews in America, Rebecca’s initial association with synagogue was not positive. After college she moved to Manhattan, and a friend brought her to MJE

They tell the story of David, who was new to shul and was offered hagbah. It was painful to watch. He could barely lift the sefer Torah, almost dropped it, and sat down very quickly. Feeling very embarrassed about the episode, he resolved to go home and work out. For the next few months, he lifted weights and did push-ups, sit-ups and

The following is the drasha given by Rabbi Halpert last Shabbat.

“טוֹב לָלכֶת אֶל־בֵּֽית־אֵ֗בֶל מִלֶּ֙כֶת֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה”

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. ^[1]

This is what

Gedolei Roshei Yeshiva, Magidei Shiur, and Lomdei Dirshu gather for three days in Vilna, Kovna, Slabodka and Radin, celebrating their dedication to Ameilus BaTorah

Preface

There are no words to