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BUILDERS HATE WRECKERS

This week we will read two Parshios; the weekly Parsha of Terumah and Parshas Zachor. On the surface there is no connection between these two Parshios, however, upon some thought they compliment each other so perfectly.

Rambam teaches us that the mitzvah to remember what Amalek did to us when we left Egypt is for the expressed purpose of inspiring our hatred towards him. What exactly did he do to us more than any of our other enemies throughout the course of history that earns them such distinct hatred? When Bilam foretells the destiny of the nations he indicates that all nations will survive the ‘end of days’ when the world will achieve its destiny except for the nation of Amalek. Regarding Amalek he states “Amalek was the first to make war against Israel and his destiny will be total decimation.”

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NO JEW IS SUPERFLUOUS

In this week’s Parsha, Terumah, HaShem instructs His people to contribute a terumah, a contribution, to the building of the Mishkan. Our Sages point out that the people were being asked to participate in three collections. One contribution was for the material with which to build the Mishkan. This included the gold, the silver, the copper, the different types of wool and so on. The second contribution was for the communal offerings. These include the two daily offerings, the musaf offerings and other offerings that were required of us as a nation. The third contribution was for the production of the silver rings which made up the base of the Mishkan.

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IN FIFTH GRADERS WE TRUST

As I sat at the formal breakfast honoring the initiation of Gemara study by the fifth grade of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim, I was overcome by the intense meaning of this moment. My grandson along with another 90 fifth graders are about to embark on their career of Talmud study. This career is the lifeblood of our people.

Throughout history the winds of change are constantly blowing. Our current period is experiencing a typhoon. There is almost no place on Earth which has been spared by this storm. Even our communities are suffering under the weight of this storm. However, within our community we have a bunker which remains a safe place. In this bunker we can be secure that our grandparents will be proud of our grandchildren. That secure bunker is our Talmud. For those who commit themselves to study her diligently she will protect them and their families from the raging storm outside.