SEDRA : Terumah Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Hertz Chumash p. 326 Exodus Ch. 25

This week's Sedra is generously sponsored by Nathan Kuperholz.

SYNOPSIS:

The construction of the Sanctuary and its vessels is a dominant theme for the rest of the book of Exodus. Its purpose will be "and they shall make for Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them " - i.e. to heighten the awareness and closeness of the Divine Presence among the people of Israel.
The campaign to gather the funds and materials is to be a "gift of the heart" - the attitude which should characterise all campaigns for the maintenance of Jewish life. The vessels to be constructed included:
The Ark of the Covenant which was fashioned from wood and lined inside and outside with gold to house among other things, the Testimony - the Tablets of Stone of the 10 Commandments;
The Kapporet, the top portion for the Ark fashioned from a single solid piece of gold the upper part of which was shaped into the Cherubim;
The Table for the Showbread symbol of G-d's sustenance of the world; Boards, beams and columns with the necessary sockets to build a frame for the Tabernacle;
A Parochet or partitioning curtain to separate the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Sanctuary;
The Altars for the sacrifices and offerings together with their utensils.

SPECIAL MAPHTIR - SHABBAT ROSH CHODESH HERTZ CHUMASH P. 695 Numbers Chap. 28 verses 9 - 15 inc.

HAPHTORAH - FOR SHABBAT ROSH CHODESH HERTZ CHUMASH P. 944 Isaiah Chapter 66
The final chapter of Isaiah comprises the reading when Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh coincide owing to its reference in the penultimate verse to the continued and ever more popular observance of Rosh Chodesh in the future.
The chapter combines fierce admonition for those who pervert sincere observance, mock the ways of G-d and worship idolatry while it also describes the rebirth of Israel and the ingathering of exiles.
The penultimate verse referring to Rosh Chodesh is repeated again after the conclusion of the Haphtorah.

TELL ME RABBI ..... HALLEL: HYMNS OF PRAISE WHEN HALLEL IS SAID :
Six psalms (113 -118), collectively known as Hallel (Hymns of Praise), are said immediately following the Shacharit Amidah on Pesach, Shavuot, Succot, Channukah and on Rosh Chodesh.
The beauty of these Psalms remains unsurpassed. Not wanting to leave G-d's praises to chance, the Sages made these psalms a mitzvah for the festivals. Some regard Hallel on these festivals as a Torah obligation.
Hymns of praise to G-d are to be said whenever we celebrate events that commemorate the deliverance of our people from dire peril (Pesahim 117a) e.g. on Channukah, the ruling of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate for saying Hallel on Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.
The joyous mood and tempo of Hallel make it most appropriate for festivals and for days of national rejoicing. Its music reflects high spirits and exuberance: "This is the day which the Lord G-d made, we will be glad and rejoice therein" (Psalm 118).

HOW HALLEL IS SAID:
Hallel is preceded by the recitation of a blessing. Maimonides ruled that since Hallel on Rosh Chodesh is only a custom one omits the blessing as one does not recite a blessing over a custom (Hil. Hanukkah 3:7).
This is adhered to by Sephardim but Ashkenazim do recite a blessing even on Rosh Chodesh. It became customary also to conclude Hallel with a blessing ending with, "...Blessed art Thou, Lord, a King extolled in psalms of praise." We stand when reciting Hallel because it is a testimony to G-d's wondrous deeds and powers, and because testimony in Jewish courts is always given while standing. Also, it is in keeping with the verses: "Give praise, ye servants to the Lord; you who stand in the house of the Lord" (Psalms 135: 1-2).