Parshas Terumah #2

In this weeks’ Parsha the Bnei Yisrael use Atzei Shitim to build the structure of the Mishkan and the Aron Kodesh. The Midrash, qouted by Rashi, says that Yaakov Avinu had went to Avraham before he wen't down to Mitzrayim and got Atzei Shitim. Then Yaakov planted them on his way down to Mitzrayim for the Bnei Yisrael to build the Mishkan with after avdus Mitzrayim.

What is the midrash teaching us or shedding light into. What does Yaakov going and getting the Atzei shittim to plant from Avraham? Why was it neccasary for Yaakov to plant these trees on the way down to Mitzrayim? Why were they used for the building of the Mishkan? And why were they specifically used to make the structure of the Mishkan and the Aran Kodesh?

Perhaphs this Midrash is shedding light into the Emunah and mindset of the Bnei Yisrael now and all the way back to the Avos. Yaakov went down to Mitzrayim with a cerain realization. He went down with the realization that the hardships in Mitzrayim were really all leading up to the building of the Mishkan which represents our avodas Hashem and our close relationship with Hashem. The bitachon of Yaakov Avinu was unreal. Peraphs the reason that Yaakov got the atzei shittim from Avraham Avinu is that Avraham Avinu is the beggining of a people who believe in Hshem and is also the one who spread Torah to many others. The Midrash is shedding light into the fact that Avraham, Yaakov, and all of Klal Yisrael realized that Hashem had a plan and that the reason the we went down to Mitzrayim was to lead to the building of the Mishkan, Bnei Yisrael performing the mitvos and, and us living our lives as Torah Jews.

These trees had also been growing in the desert for years. So if ou want to understand this Midrash in its literal sense, one can say that the trees were something that Klal Yisrael could liik at at slooaves and remember that we are going to get out and that we are here based on a larger plan of Hshem which will lead to us being Ovdei Hshem.

The Aron housed the Luchos Habris which were acceoted at Har Sinia. Har sinia was a crucial step of Bnei Yisrael transforming into ovdie Hashem and highlights the goal of Bnei Yisrael going down to Mitzrayim, to get the Torah.The walls of the Mishkan represent the lasting relationship that we have with Hashem. The Mishkon was a place for all of Klal Yisrael to go and to form closer relationships with Hashem.

Yaakov went down to Mitzraim and brought down a vision and a great amount of bitachon. The vision and realization of Bnei Yisrael that they were going down to Mitzrayim for a porpuse and goal of getting the torah and becoming very close to Hashem, was kept by all of Klal Yisrael throughout the shibud Mitzrayim.