D’var Torah: A gift for Hashem

By Eddie Saff

Contributing

Writer

In Parashat Terumah, the mishkan is both planned and constructed. Before talking about the actual construction, the Torah mentions the materials that were needed to build it. In doing so, the pasuk states, “and they will take for me a contribution” (Shemot 25: 2). There is an obvious question on this pasuk. Why does it say “they will take for me” when it should say “they will give to me?” After all, wasn’t the mishkan created as a home for Hashem and a sacred place for us to serve him?

By Aliya Abergil Junior Editor

Winter for New Yorkers often involves frigid temperatures, flurries and sometimes even blizzards, while in Israel rain and cool temperatures is a sign that winter has arrived. Unlike New Yorkers, Israelis often celebrate when the first signs of winter approach because it indicates that they will get some much needed rain. Israel’s land is very dry and the temperatures are often warm, so rain is essential to Israel’s survival. Without rain, the Kinneret could be in danger of drying up, which is a huge problem because it is Israel’s main water source.

This winter has been the driest Israel has seen in 60 years. Rainfall this year has decreased dramatically since last year and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better. Additionally, The Sea of Galilee has increased by only 0.8 inches, the smallest change in 60 years.

Many Israelis have stated that this is the warmest winter they’ve experienced in years and it feels more like spring than winter. Umbrella and coat sales have plummeted, which damages Israel’s economy. Furthermore, less rain means drier soil, causing agricultural difficulties and economic hardships. Last year was the year of Shmita, the year that Jewish farmers are commanded to rest and are not allowed to work the land. After this long farming hiatus, farmers were excited to work the land again, but the decreased rainfall has made that very difficult. Smaller crop yields could be one of many lasting effects of the lack of rain.