This week’s parsha of Teruma talks about the building of the Tabernacle, the altar, the Menorah and all that stuff that we often think is devoid of ethical teachngs. The holy Isbitzer tells us the following: In Mishpatim we are taught that the laws “refine” us. Even are property which we must watch or guard gets refined. In parshat Teruma, Bnei Yisrael ask, “how can we become so holy that even our property is holy”.Gd answer “take for (offer to me from yourself) me gold, silver and copper.” Refine yourself through these items. Get close to me throught these items.

This week in daf yomi, Gitten, the has been discussinon of enactments for Darchei Shalom, ie enactments to ensure peace. On one of the enactments, the rabbis ask a fundamental question, how can you say this enactment is based upon “darchei shalom” (ways of peace) when there is a specific pasuk or torah law which guides that particular issue and behavior. The answer given immediately is simple. All pronouncements, rules, statutes in the Torah are to promote peace.

The Shikkerdovid would like to learn this lesson from Truma and the Daf. All things, even the construction of the mishkan, the discussion of sockets, drapes, lattice work is in the Torah and is part of Darchei Shalom. It is all meant to refine us.

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