In Rav Avigdor Miller's dvar Torah on Parshat Terumah: House of Thanksgiving, Rav Miller says in the name of the Alter of Chelm that we need to strip back the chitzonyut (the external appearance) of a mitzvah and investigate its panimiyut (its inner essence).
Parshat Terumah delves into the details of the construction of the Mizbe'ach (Altar) and the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
And these seemingly technical discussions about staves, rings, and curtains hold rich meaning inside.
Parshat Terumah delves into the details of the construction of the Mizbe'ach (Altar) and the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
And these seemingly technical discussions about staves, rings, and curtains hold rich meaning inside.
House of Gratitude
These edifices in the desert are the foundation of what would later become the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim.
And Rav Miller stress that the Beit Mikdash was really a House of Thanksgiving.
It was the best place to express one's gratitude.
Halacha forbade the Kohanim from leaving the Shulchan (Table) empty in the Beit Hamikdash. As one set of Lechem Panim (Show Bread) were removed, Kohanim immediately need to place a new set of Lechem Panim.
And with his usual humility, Rav Miller says (page 6):
And Rav Miller stress that the Beit Mikdash was really a House of Thanksgiving.
It was the best place to express one's gratitude.
Halacha forbade the Kohanim from leaving the Shulchan (Table) empty in the Beit Hamikdash. As one set of Lechem Panim (Show Bread) were removed, Kohanim immediately need to place a new set of Lechem Panim.
And with his usual humility, Rav Miller says (page 6):
What’s this all about? It’s not a bakery; it’s a Beis Hamikdash!
Now, I must tell you beforehand that the Rambam says that he doesn’t understand the idea of the Shulchan and the lechem hapanim.
He says that he has no explanation for it, and therefore I must apologize because along comes a nobody now who will give an explanation.
But what can I do? What can I do — I can’t help myself.
What to Say When You See Bread
Then Rav Miller goes into a detailed description of food production — and yes, it's interesting.
He also points out that there are 250 miracles in every spoonful of food.
Also, don't throw bread. If you're passing challah to someone at the other end of the table, you can't throw it; you need it pass it in a basket or something.
Rav Miller advises us to train ourselves to grow excited about seeing bread on the table.
He also advises us to say (page 9),
He also points out that there are 250 miracles in every spoonful of food.
Also, don't throw bread. If you're passing challah to someone at the other end of the table, you can't throw it; you need it pass it in a basket or something.
Rav Miller advises us to train ourselves to grow excited about seeing bread on the table.
He also advises us to say (page 9),
“You, Hashem, are זָן אֶת הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ — You are feeding the whole world. And right now You’re feeding me בחְֵּן ובּחְֶסדֶ ובּרְַחמֲיִם — with favor and with kindness and with mercy.”
Don't wait for Birkat Hamazon, encourages Rav Miller. Say it when you see the bread.
Finding Precious Value in the Common Things
Rav Miller brings up an interesting idea about what grants things value in our eyes.
For example, if we have a million dollars, we might feel good about that.
But if everyone else had a million dollars, then you might not think your million dollars is such a big deal.
But it is!
It's a very fortunate thing to have a million dollars, and the fact that everyone else has a million dollars should in no way detract from your joy at your good fortune.
It's the same with sunlight.
Sunlight is a tremendous gift. We are so lucky to have an abundance of sunlight (even if it feels like it's too much sometimes in some places).
Just because everyone else gets to enjoy it too doesn't make it less valuable to you personally.
Rav Miller notes that we say a very long bracha about sunlight in our morning prayers, so that means that our appreciation of sunlight is very important to Hashem.
For example, if we have a million dollars, we might feel good about that.
But if everyone else had a million dollars, then you might not think your million dollars is such a big deal.
But it is!
It's a very fortunate thing to have a million dollars, and the fact that everyone else has a million dollars should in no way detract from your joy at your good fortune.
It's the same with sunlight.
Sunlight is a tremendous gift. We are so lucky to have an abundance of sunlight (even if it feels like it's too much sometimes in some places).
Just because everyone else gets to enjoy it too doesn't make it less valuable to you personally.
Rav Miller notes that we say a very long bracha about sunlight in our morning prayers, so that means that our appreciation of sunlight is very important to Hashem.
High on Life
On pages 13-14, Rav Miller makes a crucial point (that I've been very concerned about personally as I've grown older and learned more:
In Lomza, the mashgiach once saw a sad-faced yeshiva bochur.
So he went over to him and took him by both lapels and he said, “Mazel Tov! Mazel Tov! You’re a lucky fellow!” he said to him. “Everybody should envy you!” And he went on and on — “Mazel tov! You’re a lucky fellow!”
And the boy was waiting already to hear what the good news is — the bochur was looking at him — “What’s the mazel tov?”
Finally after many mazel tovs, the mashgiach said, “Mazel tov — you’re alive!” That’s the mazel tov.
“Oh! That’s all?!”
That’s what the bochur was thinking.
Try that the next time you meet somebody who is downcast, somebody who is discouraged — do what the mashgiach in Lomza did.
Give him the good news! It’s too bad that people don’t appreciate such news.
And more importantly, it’s too bad that we don’t appreciate it.
We should say “mazel tov” to ourselves. When nobody’s looking, say it: “Mazel tov, Miller! You’re so lucky to be alive.”
You know there will come a time when you won’t be alive.
Of course you plan on being here for the next ten thousand years, but sooner or later it will all come to an end — and so you might as well enjoy every second of it now.
A time will come when we’re going to look back and regret that we didn’t enjoy life.
You know when a person realizes it — when he’s approaching his last moments, he looks back and thinks, “Why was I so stupid? My mind was obsessed with so many superficialities — so many different worries and silly ideas. The mere fact that I could walk down the avenue and see the light of day — cloudy, windy, sunny, any kind of a day, it was so much fun …”
All of page 14 contains many reasons why life is sweet and how to be happy NOW.
Also, Rav Miller offers very, very important advice.
And it's not the first time.
He stresses how important it is NOT to share your newfound enthusiasm with others.
Many times, other people who aren't holding where you are will cool you off with a dismissive facial expression or words.
Maybe not on purpose, but genuine spirituality sounds nutty to a lot of people — even otherwise religious people.
So talk to yourself and to Hashem about the happiness of life and how good it is to be alive.
And that's what Parshat Terumah is really all about.
Also, Rav Miller offers very, very important advice.
And it's not the first time.
He stresses how important it is NOT to share your newfound enthusiasm with others.
Many times, other people who aren't holding where you are will cool you off with a dismissive facial expression or words.
Maybe not on purpose, but genuine spirituality sounds nutty to a lot of people — even otherwise religious people.
So talk to yourself and to Hashem about the happiness of life and how good it is to be alive.
And that's what Parshat Terumah is really all about.
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