Parashat Terumah: Building Community
Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1–27:19) opens with God speaking to Moses:
“Speak to the Israelites, and let them take for Me a gift (terumah); from every person whose heart so moves them.”
This verse introduces a key theme of the parasha: giving as an act of the heart. The construction of the Mishkan(Tabernacle), a sacred space where God’s presence will dwell among the people, cannot be built by divine command alone. Instead, it is created through voluntary contributions. If they feel moved, each individual—regardless of wealth or status—has the opportunity to give. In doing so, they become active participants in forming a sacred community.
Soul Sanctuary
A Prayer for Parashat Terumah
May the gifts you freely share
help you connect to
the Mishkan of your Soul—
the Sacred Space
where the Divine Presence dwells.
May you find God
in the tears you cry,
the pain you carry,
and the moments that take your breath away.
May you find God
in unexpected encounters,
unanswerable questions,
and in the faces of those you meet.
May every act
of kindness, courage, defiance, and love
be an invitation to the Holy One
to dwell within your heart,
within your mind,
within your soul.
May the light of Divine love
illuminate your path.
Embracing Joy
Today is Rosh Chodesh Adar. The month of Adar, best known for the joyous holiday of Purim, invites us to embrace joy, resilience, and transformation. It reminds us that even in uncertain times, we have the power to find light, laughter, and hope.
In moments of great challenge, joy may seem distant—even impossible. And yet, joy and sorrow are not mutually exclusive. They can exist together, woven into the fabric of our lives.
May we each use our unique gifts to contribute to community this month– and may building, nurturing and supporting community be a path to joy.
Blessing for the New Month of Adar
May the month of Adar be a time of abundant joy—
a season of laughter, lightness, and love,
of hope renewed and blessings revealed.
May we carry the courage of Esther,
the wisdom of Mordechai,
and the strength to transform challenges into opportunities.
May we experience the blessings of community and connection,
of compassion and creativity,
of wholeness and well-being.
May we find moments of daring and delight,
and may our hearts be open to new possibilities.
May the light of our souls
shine into the world as kindness,
illuminating the path for others.
May this month lift our spirits, strengthen our souls,
ease our worries, and inspire us to seek joy and positivity.
May we recognize the opportunities before us
and use our unique gifts to build a world of justice, inclusivity, and peace.
May it be so. Ken yehi ratzon.
Journaling on Joy
In closing, I thought I’d share a couple of my journal pages on the theme of joy:
May you find joy on your journey!
L’Shalom,
Joanne
I appreciate how you always take the time to explain things so clearly.
I loved your blessing for the month of Adar! I wish that I had seen the email prior to Shabbat, but I was running around up until twilight preparing for Shabbat and my Sunday teaching. The Mishkan artwork is beautiful!