Terumah - Offering

This week's Torah Portion, Terumah (offering) is my favorite portion. It begins:
"Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves them." 
Everyone was to bring whatever their hearts desired to build the Tabernacle, which is a metaphor for the world. Each of us has gifts that are essential to the building of a beautiful world. Our job in life is to identify them and give. 
Another lovely thing - Terumah was the portion of the Shabbat when I visited Kehillath Shalom Synagogue for the first time. Bashert!
Rabbi Lina Zerbarini