DVAR TORAH This week’s parsha of Terumah stands in contrast to last week’s parsha of Mishpatim because Mishpatim was all about monetary laws – about the physical world, while Terumah is all about the relationship we have with G-d and building a sanctuary for Him.
Of course, this contrast is not a coincidence, but what was G-d trying to teach us by putting Terumah immediately after Mishpatim?
According to Rabbi Yosef Poznovsky, hy”d, in his commentary on Chumash “Pardes Yosef,” these two parshiyot are adjacent to teach us a valuable lesson. When there is an opportunity to donate money to a Mishkan or a shul, we always need to be sure that the money we give is from legal sources and above board.
It is a theme that the Maharsha [Ketubot 6] decries: “Many in this generation gather their wealth through measures which are without faith in G-d and which involve a Chillul HaShem like by stealing from idolaters. Afterward, they donate this money to get their annual honors so that the community will bless them. Such behavior is nothing other than a mitzvah that comes via a sin [mitzvah ha’baah b’aveirah]. Such money will not last.”
As the Pardes Yosef taught, this is why Mishpatim comes before Teruma. To make sure that we understand the prohibitions of theft and corruption, usury, and stealing from Jew and Gentile alike. Only then can we talk about pledging to build a Tabernacle for G-d.
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HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Purim Katan Seven times every 19 years, we observe leap years when an entire month (Adar Alef) is added to the calendar. While Purim and all of its associated mitzvot are observed in the following month of Adar Bet, on the 14th day of Adar Alef (this year beginning Monday night February 23rd) we observe Purim Katan.
Unlike Purim, there are no mandatory observances to Purim Katan. Nevertheless, Purim Katan is a day on which eulogies and fasting are prohibited [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 697:1] and tachanun is not recited [ibid. and Mishna Berura note 2].
While most identify the source of these prohibitions as the Talmud [Megilla 5b] which quotes the Megillat Taanit that whatever is forbidden on Adar Bet is also forbidden on Adar Alef, another possible source is the mishna [ibid. 7b] which states that there are no differences between the two Adars, except for the reading of the megillah and matanot l'evyonim. Based on this mishna, one can understand that all other things - such as simcha and even the seudah should occur on the 14th of both Adars [B'yitzchak Yikarei 676:5 and Nitei Gavriel Purim 16 note 18]. As a result, the Rema [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 697:1] rules that we should have a larger meal and find added simcha on the 14th of Adar Alef.
Interestingly, based on the Talmud Yerushalmi [Megillah 1:5] the year of Purim was also a leap year, and the date that Haman planned to destroy the Jews was in Adar Alef based upon the verse [Esther 3:7] "the twelfth month, the month of Adar" (i.e. the Adar which is the twelfth month of the year and not the one that is the 13th month). However, the Chatam Sofer explained that what the Yerushalmi actually meant was that in that year, it should have been a leap year, but the Rabbis waiting until the following year to add an extra Adar. As a result, the miracle of Purim occurred in a regular year [Responsa Chatam Sofer Orech Chaim 1:163].
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MAZAL TOV * to Larry and Sharon Chambers on the birth of great-granddaughter, Leeba Hadassah. The proud parents are Avrohom and Dina Pickholtz (Lakewood). * to Evyatar and Kalia Natan on the birth of a daughter. To help with meals, please click here * to Lance and Tema Taxer on the birth of a grandson. The proud parents are Bentzy and Shira Fox.
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The Day of Learning Shabbat 2/17/2024 is sponsored by Sharon Cohen in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her husband, Arnold Wolen z’l.
Parent/Child Learning this week is sponsored by Etan and Rifi Bleichman.
A Donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by Gitelle Rapoport and Gershom Syzydlowski in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Gitelle’s mother, Hinda Rapoport, Rivka Hinda bas Chanoch Meir HaCohen z’l.
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