Parashas Teruma - We're Unique!

The next several weeks (realistically speaking, until Rosh Chodesh Iyar) will be a challenge to write something on the parasha, but I'll surely try!

Parashas Teruma talks about the different material used as a teruma offering. If I had to choose what caught my attention the most, I'd say the Tachashim. I found it interesting that Rashi explained it was a type of animal which existed only at the time. It had many colors, therefore, Onkelos translated it as 'Sasgona'. 'Sas' means “Rejoice,” and 'Gavna' means “Color,” because it rejoiced and was proud with its multi-colors.

Why was this important to point out? And why translate this animal after its description of confidence, emotion, and/or looks? We don't translate a giraffe as “Spotted Tall.” What's so different about this animal that Onkelos translated it as “Rejoice” and “Color?” And to mention its “Pride” – what message should we learn from this?

It says in Masechta Shabbos [daf 28] that this Tachashim was a briah bifnei atzmo – a unique briah, which was skinned for its beautiful, colorful fur. I think “Sas” also indicates it had six colors, from the word “Shesh.” The Gemara also says that it was created for that specific reason at that specific time.

Humans – ben adam - are made of earth – adama. Any human body can be reduced to a small pile of the earth's minerals and elements. Yet this seemingly insignificant entity has an exalted function: it acts as a vessel for the neshama. When Hashem took the dust of the earth, formed man, and breathed into him a G-dly soul, He created a unique creature containing within himself both the spiritual and the physical. It is that duality that endows man with free will. Were he bound strictly by the physical world, he would have no more free choice than animals. Were he connected solely to the spiritual world, he would have no more free choice than the angels. Because man lives in both worlds, he has the ability to make choices. If he chooses incorrectly, he declares himself unfit for the highest purpose and has altered his own essence. He has become like a chair with no seat, a cup with no bottom – a utensil unable to do what it was created to do. [Introduction of Sefer: A lesson a day p.XXVI]

In one of the letters Rav Wolbe wrote to a bochur, he said, (I am paraphrasing) “It's important not to get down on yourself if you see your friend is doing better than you - whether it's learning, sports, etc.” In other words, DON'T MEASURE YOURSELF WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S MEASURING STICK. Everyone has their own kochos and reasons for being in this world.

Rav Yaakov Hillel says, “If we are intellectually and emotionally accepting of the facts of our role (ie. our situation in life) and are at peace with them, we will not find it all that difficult to fulfill our Divine obligations. We know why we are here and will not be surprised by unforeseen twists and turns in the course of our lives.”

Perhaps this is why it was important to note that this Tachashim (also translated as Sasgona) rejoiced and was proud with it's multi-color! There was nothing like it. It was unique and had a unique tafkid. It looked nothing like the other animals and lived for one reason. We, too, are unique and have special qualities that no other person has. We all traveled through many paths, lived through many situations, and had many different experiences. That's what makes us who we are. Perhaps, we too, should rejoice with what we have.

Who's considered rich? One who's happy with what he has. - Pirkei Avos

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso