This week's parasha presents us with a surprising and unique verse. God instructs Moses to collect gifts from the children of Israel for the construction and assembly of the mishkan, the desert Tabernacle. However, when God wants the people to do something, God will most often simply command them to do so with a mitzvah, or "commandment." Yet, in this case, God tells Moses to:

 

"Vayik'hu li t'rumah mei'eit kol ish asheir yidvenu libo."

"...accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him/her."

 

God seems to be suggesting or recommending to the people that they donate materials to the cause, not requiring it. This is a remarkable turn of character for God given that we have just completed a long section of text that details God's basic civil and criminal code of laws and commandments for the Israelite people. The lesson to be learned from this shift is a very important one.

 

Jewish tradition takes very seriously the importance of obedience to the commandments. Jewish living at its essence is not democratic; our halakha/laws are not optional. According to the fundamental tradition, we are required to live our lives in line with the commandments. However, the tradition also highlights something that is called "kavana" or "intention." While one must observe and obey the laws - and an individual fulfills his or her obligations when s/he does so by rote or simply because s/he must do so - it is preferable to find within one's observance a certain spirit, meaning, or intentionality. In other words (and in the words of this week's parasha), one's heart should be moving him/her.

 

As we celebrate Shabbat this week and anticipate the coming of Purim only 8 nights from now, there are four particular commandments that are required of us, for which we must make some plans: mishlo'ah manot (sending gifts to those dear to us), matanot l'evyonim (giving gifts of charity to the poor), sh'mi'at haM'gilah baYom (the hearing of the reading of the Megillah during the daylight hours), and s'u'dat mitzvah (joining together in a festive meal). This week's parasha reminds us that we have an opportunity to make an effort to dedicate a deeper sense of spirit and intentionality to our fulfillment of these obligations by adopting any one or more of the following suggestions:

• Make your own mishlo'ah manot this year.
• Attend services on the Sunday morning of Purim this year so that you can hear the reading of M'gilat Esther during the day.
• Host or attend a S'udat Purim, a festive meal during the afternoon to celebrate the holiday.
• Take time on Purim itself to distribute some tz'dakah to those in need.

May we all find it in our hearts to be moved toward a meaningful and spiritual fulfillment of as many of the commandments of possible, with the mitzvot of Purim serving as a good first step.

 

Shabbat Shalom!

 

SCHOOL NEWS

Grade 5 students hit the slopes for a fun day of snowtubing on Wednesday. The day at Cypress culminated with a group of 44 tubers sliding down the mountain.
Click here to see more photos.


Morah Anna and Morah Mirit's Grade 2 students showed an impressive facility in Hebrew at the annual Tefilah Breakfast. The prayer service and musical presentation on healthy living and eating concluded with a family breakfast (photo below) served by the students--all in Hebrew, of course.
To see the photos, click here.



Our graduates aren't the only ones who enjoy seeing relics from the past. A group of students try to identify teachers and family members in photo collage in the alumni display.

Grade 6 students have begun their presentations on Japan. Can you guess what aspect of Japanese culture these two students chose to present?

Linda Reid MLA Richmond and Deputy Public Speaker of the House came to speak to the Grade 3 classes about what the provincial government does and how it looks when the house is in session. She also chose students for a mock government session. Special thanks to parent Rhonda Dashevsky for organizing her visit. Student Edan summed up her role this way,  "So, she is like the celebrity of the house." Ms. Reid loved the descriptor as no one has ever called her that before.

Thanks to the hard work of VTT's Grade 2 students, the Jewish Food Bank has a beautiful array of brand new socks to offer our community. A special thank you to Matthew Kape for securing a huge donation from his aunt's company, Doris Hosiery, in Montreal.

Joining students from Jewish day schools in Edmonton, Seattle, Portland and Richmond, BC, VTT's Grade 6 students hit the dance floor at the Saturday evening dance during the Shabbaton in Seattle last week.