Parashas Terumah : - Our Parsha this week is Parashas Terumah and seeing as this is the Shabbos before Purim , It Is Also Parashas Zachor , where we remember Amalek and what they did to us as we were leaving Mitzrayim , where all the other nations feared HaShem and Respected HaShem And His Miracles at the time , but Amalek belittled HaShem and had no respect for HaShem's Almightiness , and attacked us from the rear , where or weakest were . Purim , is again , an attempted attack on us from Amalek , by their descendant haman , from agag . Thus on this Shabbos , again the second special Shabbos before Pesach , we remember Amalek and how HaShem , on Purim , turned Amalek's evil , back on them , and how HaShem Saved our people . Thank You HaShem For Always Watching Out For us . On this Shabbos Zachor , we read Parashas Terumah Shemos Exodus 25 : 1 - 27 : 19 and then we read the portion for Parashas Zachor in Devarim Deuteronomy 25 : 17 - 19 and the Haftorah for this Sedra is 1 Shmuel 1 Samuel 15 : 1 - 34 , where we read how King Shaul , disobeyed HaShem , in not killing Agag and how Samuel the Prophet brought to Saul , HaShem's Words and how Agag , from Amalek , was killed , but sadly too late , for he had already procreated and thus his evil line continued down to haman , thus a suitable Haftorah , for Shabbos Parashas Zachor . The Parsha starts with a "Va" showing that HaShem Gave these Instructions when HaShem Was With Moshe when Moshe had gone up to Har Sinai , for forty days and forty nights , as the last Parsha Mishpatim ended with . The Children of Israel felt sad leaving Har Sinai where they had spent close on a year as it was there that they had experienced the Closeness of Revelation with HaShem and did not want to leave . HaShem Instructed on the building of the Mishkan so that we would make a special place , within our Holy Camp , where HaShem's Shechinah Would Dwell Among us , wherever we would go . The Construction of the Mishkan , with the Ark and the Table and the Menorah and the Altar and all That HaShem Asked to be built , would be like our part of Heaven Traveling with us . HaShem Would Rest With us in the Holy of Holies , between the Keruvim Cherubim on the Holy Ark Cover , And So Would HaShem Be Among His People . The people would then know That HaShem Is With us Always . HaShem Had The Holy Ark travel forward , when we were to move away from Har Sinai , so that we would know that HaShem Was Moving Forward , and for us to remain close to Him , we would need to move forward too . And so we did . HaShem Told Moshe to speak to the Children of Israel that each should take a " Terumah , " - " Portion , " From every man " whose heart motivates him , you shall take My Portion . " So this request was voluntary and thus ever much more special , for we could give out of love and not because we might have to do so . Such a Giving , is always more Giving and truly from the Heart , in which , HaShem , Within each one of us , Wants To Dwell . Though we gave in abundance , if one really looks closely at how much gold and other articles were actually needed , one realizes , that though we gave in abundance , HaShem Had To Have Miraculously Given To this project too ( Yalkut MeAm Loez ) , and so does Torah say " you shall take My Portion , " for a lot of the amount that went into the building construction here , was actually From HaShem Himself , For HaShem Miraculously Added To It . HaShem Instructs On the portions of materials that are to be taken for this and to make A Sanctuary for HaShem To Dwell Among us , just as Moshe Was Shown On The Mountain . HaShem Instructed That The Ark be made of Acacia wood which was Shittim Wood , part of the wood that Yaakov carried with to Egypt when he went into Egypt , in his son Yosef's time . This wood was from an area that was called Shittim Waters , and at that time , it was known that these waters , would , if drunk , bring people to physically debase themselves and it was near these waters that the Moabites later on , managed to entice some of the people to idolatry , through physical enticements ( Yalkut Me Am Loez ) . So using this particular wood , would be a direct block and control against the Yetzer Horah , especially as it was being used for such A Holy purpose . The Ark was to be made 2.5 cubits in length and 1.5 cubits in width and 1.5 cubits in height . If we take both sides of the length and width and add them , it comes to 8 , the holy number after 7 , that takes us into the realm of Spiritual Holiness ( like the 50th day of the Omer being Shavuos , after counting seven weeks of seven ) and if we add the height , we get 9.5 and with the cover and the Cherubim on top , it goes into the ranges of 10 , like the Holy Ten Commandments and the Ten Pronouncements By HaShem In Creating Creation . If we just take the length of both sides , it comes to 5 , which is the same as the single number in Gematriah of HaShem's Name Elokim and also Avraham's name , where the letters of Avraham's name come to 1 + 2 + 200 + 5 + 40 = 248 ( the number of bones in the human body and also the number of Positive Commandments In The Torah , showing how the Ark , also deeply represented HaShem's Commandments and how we must put our bones , our physicality to HaShem's Commandments ) and 248 is 2 + 4 + 8 = 14 and 1 + 4 = 5 , thus the two side lengths of the Ark have very deep meanings . Each measurement has a deep reason . Everything HaShem Does , Has Very Deep Reasons . The two sides width , come to 3 , and if we take The Hebrew Word Where HaShem Is Telling Moshe " I Shall Be " EHeYeH , " The Gematriah Of This Word Comes to 21 and 2 + 1 = 3 , the very two widths of The Ark Of The Covenant . The height of the Ark , was to be 1.5 cubits , where the numbers 1 + 5 = 6 , which is the last number of the Physicality , thus in reaching high to HaShem , we need to reach beyond our physicalities . The Ark was to be made with a form including three boxes basically within each other , with the two outer ones being of pure gold and the inner one being of wood , showing us , how we must be the same deep within us as we are outside , being honest and trustworthy and truthful .The Ark represented the Crown of Torah and on it was to be put a Crown all around . Four rings were to be cast on it on each corner and the staves of acacia wood , covered with gold were to always be in the rings and never removed from it even when not carrying it , just as we are always to be close to Torah and never remove ourselves from It . Into the Ark , was to be placed the Testimonial Tablets . The Ark Cover was to be made of pure gold and on top was to be hammered out , two K'ruvim - Cherubim ( Keruvim has the root Karov , which means Close , as in Close To HaShem ) , hammered out from both ends of the " Kaporet " - " Cover . " The Cherubim were to have their wings spread upward sheltering the Cover with their faces toward one another . The faces on these Cherubim , were to be of a boy and a girl , and when we kept HaShem's Commandments , their faces would smile and when we sadly did not , they would turn away from each other . Their wings would embrace , when we were especially obedient to HaShem . It was in the one cubit space between the two Cherubim ( Just As HaShem Is Surrounded By Angels Above , That HaShem Would Place His Shechinah To Rest And Where HaShem Would Hold His Meetings With Moshe . The Ark would sometimes travel 2000 cubits ahead of the Camp of Israel , so as to clear the way for our path to be safe in the Wilderness , where a giant snake and other things of danger , dwelt . The Ark was carried with the poles along It's widths and those who carried it always faced it , thus those in front , actually walked backwards , so as not to disrespect the Shechinah and Aron , just as we , in Shul , should walk backwards from the Aron Keidesh , till It is out of direct sight . Such a sight to the nations , Of HaShem's Mishkan and " Aron "- " Ark " in our midst , showed how we are HaShem's People , that Keep His Holy Torah and so would HaShem Dwell Among us even now , if only we would all keep HaShem's Torah Laws . HaShem Instructed , showing Moshe a picture of it , that a " Shulchan " - " Table " be built of Acacia Wood , 2 cubits its length , a cubit its width and 1.5 cubits its height . These numbers added up , had a special prophetic meaning in relation to the kings that came in Israel . All the numbers , including both sides of the length and width and the height , added up to 7.5 , where 7 + 5 = 12 and 1 + 2 = 3 , the same as the Gematriah of HaShem's Name EHeYeH , as explained earlier . It was to be covered with pure gold and a gold crown to be made all around it . This signified the Crown of Kingship . Also it was to have four rings and four carrying staves . The four rings , representing the four directions in Creation . Also its utensils were to be made . Always on the Shulchan was the Show-bread to be put before HaShem Always . So must our Neshoma always be close to HaShem and constantly reach upwards to Higher and Holier Paths Toward HaShem . This Shulchan brought From HaShem , Blessings Of Abundance Of Food To the World , for just as we leave the Hamotzi on the Table on Shabbos when we Bensch so as to allow us to be Blessed for more sustenance , so was the Lechem Panim left from week to week , for HaShem to Bring Forth from what is already there that HaShem Created , for since Creation , HaShem , Who Made all things at the beginning of Creation till the end , at the time of Creation's Creation , HaShem Does Not Need To Ever Create out of nothing , for HaShem Made all things that Creation would need , back then . Every Erev Shabbos , was the Lechem Panim to be replaced and the bread for the previous week remained ever fresh . The Menorah was to be of pure gold all of a single piece . Moshe had to request of HaShem To Show him how it was to be done with all its cups , knobs and blossoms all of a single hammered piece of gold And HaShem Showed Him one of fire , on the Mountain . Every part of the Menorah had its deeper reason and the Menorah stood as the contribution of the light we give to the World , when we keep HaShem's Commandments . All parts of the Menorah were to be from a single hammered out piece of gold , just as we as Jews , must come together as one nation , under HaShem and His Mitzvos , in peace and thus bring Moshiach , being One With HaShem Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu HaShem The Holy One Blessed Be He . The seven lamps were like the seven days in Creation , the seven days of the week and Kabbalistically , the seven worlds of Planets mentioned for special reasons , the sevens in the Sabbatical year , the sevens on the counting of the Omer and the sevens , in the Holy Number where the Seventh Day is Holy Shabbos Kodesh . Torah Of HaShem Then Describes In Detail , The construction of the " Mishkan " - " Tabernacle , " with each measurement size , having a special meaning of great and holy depth . Each plank fitted with its adjacent plank in a partnership of peace , just like a husband and wife become one in peace and love . Each plank was ten cubits in length , like the Ten Pronouncements of HaShem's Creation and the Ten Commandments . A " Paroches " - " Partition , " was to be made to separate the part that was to be " Kodesh Ha Kodashim " - " Holy of Holies , " within which , would the Aron Ark of the Testimonial Tablets be put and a " Masach " - " Screen " was to be made as an entrance of the Tent . HaShem Instructed That A " Mizbeach " - " Altar " be made of Acacia Wood , five cubits its length , five cubits its width square and three cubits its height . This would total all round 23 , and when taking into account that the physical height is 3 cubits in the physical world and thus the spiritual version above of this Mizbeach also has a 3 cubit height , we get a total , when the time will come for the Physical and Spiritual to become one , of 26 , which is the exact Gematrical value of HaShem's Tetragrammaton Name ' Yud Kei Vav Kei . " The width size and length size in cubits of a side , add up to ten , which again , represents the Ten Commandments and the Ten Pronouncements That HaShem Made , in Creating Creation . There were to be four horns on the Mizbeach , just like the Four directions on Earth , and so was each part made for the Mishkan , to be put in a specific place and direction , depending on what that direction signified and what comes from that direction , Spiritually . It was all to be covered with copper and all its utensils were to be of copper . A Netting Meshwork was to be made , which Miraculously never burnt or melted . Staves too were to be made for it . The word " Copper " in Hebrew , is " Nechoshes , " which interestingly has within it the Hebrew word " Nachash " - " Snake " just like Samael that used the Snake to bring Sin into the World , and as we know , The Mizbayach , was also there for the Korbanos of Sins , thus it directly contradicted the actions of Sin and Samael , who works the Yetzer Horah that pulls us to Sin . The " Mizbeach " - " Altar " represented the Crown of Kehunah Pristhood , and so , as we have in Pirkei Avos , the Aron , Shulchan and Mizbeach , represented The Three Crowns in Judaism , being The Crown of Torah , the Crown of Priesthood and The Crown of Kingship . The " Mizbeach " had deeper meanings for if we take each letter of the word " Mizbeach " , being a Mem , Zayin , Beis and Ches , these letters can spell " Mechilah " - " Forgiveness ; " Zechus " - " Purity " ( Shimon Zilberman Dictionary ) ; " Brochas " - " Blessings " and " Chayim " - " Life , " all of which the " Mizbeach " could help us attain With HaShem's Making . HaShem Then Instructed On The " Chatzar " - " Courtyard " of the Mishkan , with all its lace hangings , and being within it , was like being in Heaven with its Blue Sky Curtains . The Lace Hangings were to be 100 Cubits , just like the One Hundred Brochas we are supposed to say every day , instituted by Dovid Hamelech , which he learned , in order to stay the plague that was ravishing in those days , which knowledge we get also by the Gematriah of these words referring to Blessing HaShem every day , as written in The Torah . The Parsha ends with The Instructions From HaShem , Of The makings of the " Chatzer " - " Courtyard . " So ends The Parsha . The Depth of This Holy Parsha , is so beyond our own knowing . Every part That HaShem Instructed to be made , had it's deeper reason for being needed . Whether a large of small part , each , like us , have their part to play , in Creation . Each and every one of us , as a part of HaShem's Creation , is an equal and important part of Creation , and thus needed to complete Creation . Never must we think of ourselves as totally insignificant . The very fact That HaShem Created us , means that the part we contribute to Creation , is necessary in the scheme of Creation as a whole . No part is more important than any other part , and we must each very humbly , learn to work with others around us , to help complete Creation , As HaShem Intended . In This Sedra , HaShem Wants us each , to contribute a " Terumah " - " Portion " to HaShem , for the good of us , ourselves . HaShem Gives us so much and we give HaShem so little in return . That which we give HaShem , all Belongs To HaShem . But what we can Give HaShem , is our Free Choice of Love and Service to HaShem , to do His Will . It should be our own hearts and thus free choice that should motivate this . Then it is truly from us . So Says HaShem , " Ve ' Asu Li Mikdash Ve Shachanti B' Tocham " - " They shall make a Sanctuary for Me so that I May Dwell Among them . " HaShem Asks us to Make A Sanctuary For Him , that He May Dwell Among us .So HaShem Asks us to make this for Him , which shows that HaShem So Desires To Dwell With us In Closeness And Love . HaShem Wants our closeness . It is not as the nations think , that an intermediary is needed to come close to HaShem . HaShem Wants So Deeply , to come directly To us , close to us all , for we are all His Children , all of Creation . To put an intermediary between HaShem and us , is exactly the opposite Of What HaShem Tells us Or Wants . HaShem Wants us each to approach Him directly and for each of us to have a close relationship with Him directly . We are all , in this World and in Creation , HaShem's equal children , and so , we can all approach HaShem directly , in prayer and at all times in purity . This Is What HaShem Wants . HaShem Is Close To us all . We need only and directly be close to Him and speak with HaShem Directly . None of us are on such a low level , that we need to go to HaShem , through something else . HaShem , As HaShem Says In Tehillim Psalms , " The L-RD Is Close To All Who Call upon Him , to all who in Truth . " In This Sedra , When HaShem Asks us to make a Sanctuary for Him so He Can Dwell Among us , that is exactly what HaShem Wants . Looking deeper , when HaShem Asks us to make Him a Sanctuary , HaShem Is Also Asking us literally to make HaShem , our Sanctuary , to be with Him all the time , letting ourselves from deep within the heart , follow Him , and so that HaShem Can Surround us and Keep us Forever Close To Him . Deep within these words , is the true secret to what HaShem Deeply Desires for if we look closer at these words , it says also , " Ve' Asu Li Mikdash Ve Shachanti B' Tocham , " - " Make within me ( within you and within me and within us all ) a Sanctuary , So That I HaShem Can Dwell Among us ( His Creation ) , and within us all . " So HaShem Wants us to make our very selves into a Sanctuary place , so that HaShem Can Dwell Within each and every one of us , within our very loving hearts . This is a Sanctuary , that would always be with us , for it is within us , and so , HaShem Dwelling In our own personal Sanctuary Within ourselves , Is Exactly What HaShem Deeply Wants , Which Is To Always Be With us All The Time , wherever we are and wherever we go , Within our hearts In Love . By doing this , we will be making , from within our very hearts , ourselves being as a " Terumah " - the " Portion " we can contribute to HaShem , for there is no better " Terumah " - " Portion " That HaShem Lovingly Would Want More , than that we can give Him , with our full heart and soul , as to give HaShem our very selves as that " Terumah " - " Portion , " every day , every moment and every loving instant of life That HaShem Gives us . For every instant of our Life , Given By HaShem , should be given to HaShem Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu The Holy One Blessed Be He . The very word " Terumah , " - " Portion " in Gematriah comes to 400 + 200 + 6 + 40 + 5 = 651 and 6 + 5 + 1 = 12 and 1+2 = 3 , which is the number Gematrically of , as I mentioned earlier , HaShem's Name As Word To Moshe " EHeYeH , " - " I Shall Be , " thus within the very word Terumah , is HaShem's Name , for to complete Creation and bring It back to Gan Eiden , to be at One With HaShem , we are to give HaShem , our very selves , in obedience to HaShem and His Torah and Commandments , in Oneness With HaShem , as the " Terumah , " the " Portion " to HaShem Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu , HaShem The Holy One Blessed Be He . I wish HaShem With So Much Deep Love , A Very Loving Beautiful And Special Shabbos Kodesh With Ever Deepest Love And HaShem's Closeness With His Creation , and to all my fellow Jews and to all of Creation , a Most Special and Close With HaShem , Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with Love .