TORAH: Exodus 25:1-27:19
HAFTARAH: 1 Kings 5:26-6:13
GOSPEL: Mark 12:35-44
Portion Summary
The nineteenth reading from the Torah is named Terumah (תרומה). In Exodus 25:2, the LORD commanded Moses to “tell the sons of Israel to [take] a contribution for Me.” The word translated as “contribution” is terumah (תרומה), which is the name of this Torah portion. Terumah is a word with no real English equivalent. In the Torah, terumah refers to a certain type of offering dedicated to the Temple, like a tithe or firstfruits offering. In Exodus 25, the contribution is for the building of a holy place. This Torah reading is occupied with the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
Torah
Torah
Exodus 25:1 | Offerings for the Tabernacle
Exodus 25:10 | The Ark of the Covenant
Exodus 25:23 | The Table for the Bread of the Presence
Exodus 25:31 | The Lampstand
Exodus 26:1 | The Tabernacle
Exodus 26:15 | The Framework
Exodus 26:31 | The Curtain
Exodus 27:1 | The Altar of Burnt Offering
Exodus 27:9 | The Court and Its Hangings
Prophets
1Ki 5:1 | Preparations and Materials for the Temple
1Ki 6:1 | Solomon Builds the Temple
Portion Commentary:
The Cheerful Giver
The true giver does not think of his money and his resources as belonging to him. He regards all that he has as belonging to the LORD.
A true giver is not motivated to give simply because he anticipates reaping a prosperous return on his investment. A generous person gives to the work of the kingdom because his heart desires to give. He loves God and wants to do everything he can to further the work of God on earth.
In Exodus 25:2, the LORD asked Moses to collect donations only from those donors who desired to give: “From every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution” (Exodus 25:2). The collection was to be a free-will contribution, not an imposed tax or even a tithe. Tithes are important, but terumah is supposed to be given simply from the heart.
This can be compared to a husband and wife who loved their son and wanted to see him succeed in life. Though they depleted their savings to send their son to college, they did not regret the loss at all. Instead, they desired to help their son get a good start in life, and they rejoiced to be able to do so. In the same way, a person who loves God should be eager to do all that he can to see God’s work succeed. When he invests in the kingdom, he does not regret the loss. He sees it as an opportunity to fulfill his hopes.
A true giver wants to honor His Father by giving back from the resources bestowed upon him. The true giver does not think of his money and his resources as belonging to him. He regards all that he has as belonging to the LORD. Therefore, when he gives to the LORD’s work, he feels no regret.
This can be compared to a wealthy man who was going on a journey. Before he left, he entrusted his neighbor with a sack of money for safekeeping. On returning from the journey, he asked for the sack of money back. The neighbor felt no ill will about returning the money because he was only the custodian of it for a short while. In the same way, we should regard all that we have as belonging to God.
A person who gives to the work of the kingdom should do so willingly and gladly. The Apostle Paul says, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
