Miller's Musings Parshas Terumah: The Space to Connect

בס''ד

The holiest place on earth, the Mishkon, and the most hallowed place within this sacred structure, the Holy of Holies.  One cannot even begin to imagine its consummate purity and divinity.  It was from here that all G-d’s influence and blessings emanated and from here that G-d spoke to the Jews through His intermediaries.  But from where precisely did Hashem’s voice come out?  It was from the space between the two Keruvim (angelic forms) that stood atop the Ark of the Covenant. The question we must ask is what it was about that particular gap between these winged beings that made it the perfect place for this role?

Of all that is contained within Judaism, it may be said to revolve around three principal entities: Hashem, the Torah and the Jewish people.  The Zohar tells us that these are all one (requiring elucidation beyond our discussion’s scope).  Yet our holy teachings tell us of the manner in which they are connected.  In the four letter name of Hashem, the last three letters represent these three elements.  The ‘ה’ at the beginning is G-d, the ‘ה’ at the end symbolises the Jewish people, and the ‘ו’ in between is the Torah that links them. The two Keruvim correspond to G-d and His people, who faced each other when in a positive relationship, but away from each other when the Jews caused the bond to fracture.  So, says the Nesivos Sholom, in line with what we said, that which was between them must by necessity be a place of Torah, fitting in with the Ark being where the Tablets and Torah scroll were stored. This space was therefore the perfect place from which Hashem’s utterances would be heard, the messages that would connect G-d with His nation. 

An undeniable part of human nature is our instinct to rebel against that which we are instructed. So when we are told to connect with Hashem through His Torah, we inevitably look for other means by which to form this bond.  Whether it be meditating on some Tibetan peak or using all manner of mediums and materials to try to experience the infinite, these are empty and futile approaches that in truth may be an excuse to give in to that which we crave for ulterior motives. But our beliefs are clear. The only true, authentic way to form a deep and profound relationship with Hashem is by learning and living His Torah.  No matter what our level, no matter what part of Torah we relate to, it is only here that we will find what brings the greatest pleasure, our connection with G-d.

*May we use the gift of Shabbos for Torah and Connection*

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

לעילוי נשמת שרה יעל בת גרשון

לרפואת אלימלך יהושע אהרון בן דבורה רבקה