Difference between revisions of "Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Terumah/0/en"
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<li><multilink><a href="ShadalShemot25-1" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalShemot25-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 25:1</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink> suggests that the Tabernacle served to enhance not only man's relationship with Hashem but also to his fellow man. By providing a centralized location for all to gather in their worship of Hashem, the Mishkan served to unify the nation. What are other benefits of centralization? What are some of the down-sides?</li> | <li><multilink><a href="ShadalShemot25-1" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalShemot25-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 25:1</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink> suggests that the Tabernacle served to enhance not only man's relationship with Hashem but also to his fellow man. By providing a centralized location for all to gather in their worship of Hashem, the Mishkan served to unify the nation. What are other benefits of centralization? What are some of the down-sides?</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
| + | </category> | ||
| + | <category>Change of Plans | ||
| + | <p>Was sacrificial worship in the Tabernacle always part of Hashem's plans?</p> | ||
| + | <ul> | ||
| + | <li>Seforno and Hoil Moshe suggest that though Hashem had always wanted a sacrificial service, he had not wanted to limit it to any individual group or place, preferring to be worshiped via individual altars rather than in a centralized Tabernacle.  Only after the Sin of the Golden Calf did He decide that the nation was not worthy of such worship and needed limitations and safeguards.  See <a href="Altars of Earth, Stone, and Wood" data-aht="page">Altars of Earth, Stone, and Wood</a> and <a href="Purpose of the Mishkan" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Mishkan</a>.</li> | ||
| + | <li>Abarbanel, in contrast, suggests that in Hashem's original plan there was to be just a Tabernacle, a vehicle through which the nation would feel Hashem's presence. After the sin of the Golden Calf, however, Hashem added a sacrificial component to facilitate the atonement process.</li> | ||
| + | </ul> | ||
| + | <p>Is it possible that Hashem can change His mind?  What textual difficulties might such a suggestion resolve?  Can you think of other cases where intervening events led to a change of plan?</p> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
<category>Of Symbols and Meaning | <category>Of Symbols and Meaning | ||
Version as of 13:03, 1 March 2017
Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Terumah
Does Hashem Need a House?
As God has no need of shelter, light, bread or meat, why did He command the nation to build the Tabernacle and its accompanying vessels? See Purpose of the Mishkan.
- According to Ramban, the Mishkan facilitated the continuation of the Divine revelation which began at Mt. Sinai and Hashem's presence was literally contained within the building. Does this imply that God can be contained in a physical structure? What does it suggest about the concept of "sacred space;" are certain locations more holy than others? Finally, how would having God literally in your midst affect your relationship with Hashem?
- Sifre views the Tabernacle as a means to atone for the Sin of the Golden Calf. Tanchuma, instead, focuses on how it serves as a sign to surrounding nations that God had forgiven Israel. What polemical factors might be motivating such a reading? Can you think of other cases where a commentator's understanding of a story is polemically motivated?
- Shadal suggests that the Tabernacle served to enhance not only man's relationship with Hashem but also to his fellow man. By providing a centralized location for all to gather in their worship of Hashem, the Mishkan served to unify the nation. What are other benefits of centralization? What are some of the down-sides?
Change of Plans
Was sacrificial worship in the Tabernacle always part of Hashem's plans?
- Seforno and Hoil Moshe suggest that though Hashem had always wanted a sacrificial service, he had not wanted to limit it to any individual group or place, preferring to be worshiped via individual altars rather than in a centralized Tabernacle. Only after the Sin of the Golden Calf did He decide that the nation was not worthy of such worship and needed limitations and safeguards. See Altars of Earth, Stone, and Wood and Purpose of the Mishkan.
- Abarbanel, in contrast, suggests that in Hashem's original plan there was to be just a Tabernacle, a vehicle through which the nation would feel Hashem's presence. After the sin of the Golden Calf, however, Hashem added a sacrificial component to facilitate the atonement process.
Is it possible that Hashem can change His mind? What textual difficulties might such a suggestion resolve? Can you think of other cases where intervening events led to a change of plan?
Of Symbols and Meaning
We often look for symbolic meaning in rituals or objects, especially when no practical or simple explanation is readily apparent.
- What do bread, light and spices represent for you? What symbolism might lie behind the Table, Menorah and Incense Altar? See how Abarbanel reads these vessels
- R. Instead looks to parales from the
