Parshas Trumah

By: Rav Zvi Davidson

The word Trumah doesn't have an exact translation into English, based on Rashi, it means to separate a portion of one's resources. Rav Hirsh however points out that the root of the word תרומה is רום to uplift.

Meaning the act of giving towards the Mishkan actually served to elevate those who gave.

This is especially interesting when you compare what has HaShem commanded Moshe in this week's parsha, to what the Torah writes actually happened in parshas vayakhel.

In this week's parsha the Truma was to be collected from כל איש אשר ידבנו ליבו any man whose heart motivates him (yidvenu from the word nedava). Whereas in parshas vayakhel the posuk writes ויבאו כל איש אשר נשאו ליבו every man whose heart inspired him came (nasao - to rise up).

The Ramban explains that once they dedicated themselves to the task of building the Mishkan, they discovered they had skills they never knew they had.

They were able to rise up to the challenge and succeed, because they had confidence in their potential ability, as they were dedicating it for Hashem.

Using our possessions and talents for the sake of Hashem not only is the correcting to do, but it actually brings out potential in us that we didn't know that we have.

So we might think that we're doing it for the sake of Hashem, whereas in fact, Hashem is giving us the opportunity to give in order to elavate ourselves.