TERUMAH / MISHKAN

From Parshas Terumah a new order of Divine service is announced, namely the construction of the Mishkan with every subsequent Parshah (in the book of Shemois focusing on various services.)

MISHKAN

As these services are enumerated in various different Parshas it is self-understood that they carry multiple lessons.

DIRA BITACHTOINIM

The general idea of the Mishkan is the general purpose of creation, namely, causing that the highest beyond all heights, should dwell in the very very lowest.

DIRAH BITACHTOINIM

The reason the command to build the Mishkan follows the Giving of the Torah, for at that time the command to dissolve the barrier between heaven and earth was enacted (hence paving the way for God to descend.)

MISHKAN – DIRAH BITACHTOINIM

The purpose of the Mishkan is for Dirah Bitachtoinim (the highest in the lowest) and this occurs first and foremost by the donation of the material for the spiritual.

TETZAVEH – ESSENCE

Teruma is the general command hence the opportunity to build the mishkan (the highest in the lowest.) Tetzavah as the famous explanation from the Previous Rebbe, is about the revelation of God through the revelation of Mosses who (as stated, was a conduit connecting the Jewish people to God “his top half was God – bottom half was man”) revealing the essential soul of every Jew – namely God (an infinity that no matter what kind of outward behavior is always true.)

MENORAH – PURPOSE

We then read Bahaloilscha which is how Aaron lit the menorah which refers to the soul of the Jew – this was lighting from bottom up – in other words, as the soul is in darkness (in this world) and slowly but surely the light of the Torah shines – now this light needed to cause a permanent glow which occurs when the Jew gets infinitely connected (as in Tetzaveh.)

DIRAH BITACHTOINIM – LIGHT WITHIN

This represents the quintessential idea (of Dirah Bitachtoinim) namely a. that there is both the Divine light b. there is the individual (who is within the phases of darkness as we all know) and c. that this Divine light descends within the darkness.

ASCENDING CONTNUALLY

A person should always be continually rising in their Divine service that today’s day, makes yesterday, look like night.

ASCENDING

The mechanism to continually “upgrade” is by realizing that no matter what spiritual dimension (level) you have attained, relative to tomorrow’s day, you are actually in a dark night.

GOD

The power to continually stay consistent in light despite being in darkness, comes from God’s infinity.

DIRAH BITACHTOINIM

We then go to Parshas Ki Sisah, which the novelty of the Jews service is not only in his personal Divine union, but furthermore in causing this union with all his possessions (this is analogous to how some wonder how could a simple coin (machtzis hashekel) atone for a spiritual sin – and God showed him “a coin of fire” – In other words, as God caused there to be the division between spirit and matter, he can also transform the latter into the former.)

DIRAH BITACHTONIM – UP TO YOU

In Parshas Vayakehl-Pikuidie, here God gives the command of causing the Dirah Bitachtoinim to the Jewish people.

VAYKHEL – UNITY

Furthermore Vayakhel gives us a fundamental premise from which we learn the prerequisite to the building of the Mishkan (Vayakhel means together) namely, the friendship amongst the Jewish people.

THE THIRD BEIS HAMIKDOSH – MOSHIACH

The Third Beis Hamikdosh (will include all of the above) namely, it will be a revelation directly from God (considering it is already built and coming from heaven) it will descend to earth – it will include subsequent infinite cycles of ratzu-vshuv (inspiration/application) it will unify the Jewish people (as it states “everyone will come on Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh”) and it will be a source where Divine revelation/inspiration (shechina – “the new Torah”) will individually effect.

BRINGING MOSHIACH

As we are so very very close – and based on the signs our sages have given us, it is clear we are the final exile generation and the first to greet Moshiach, quite literally; hence we must increase in our anticipation – furthermore, as action is the main thing, we must live currently as if Moshiach is here – we do this by using the physical for the spiritual – for example, by giving charity (money I could have used for myself, thus transforms.)

CHASSIDUS

The idea of Chassidus is to reveal Godliness, including the highest levels.