Blessing in the Offering and the Ten Kinds of Terumah

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 363:8

Another interpretation: "And let them take a portion for Me" (Exodus 25:2). Every matter concerning which "for Me" is said has a blessing in it, and this offering has a blessing in it. Rabbi Yochanan said: All the labor of the Tabernacle the Israelites brought within two mornings, as it is said, "And they still brought to him free offerings morning by morning" (Exodus 36:3), for a blessing was placed in the offering of the Tabernacle. "And let them take a portion for Me." Rabbi says: There are ten offerings: the priestly portion (terumah), the tithe of the tithe, the dough offering (challah), first fruits, the offering of the Land, the offering of the thanksgiving sacrifice, the offering of the shekels, the offering of the Tabernacle, the offering of Midian, and the offering of the peace offerings. The terumah and tithe of the tithe, challah and first fruits, the offering of peace offerings, the offering of the thanksgiving sacrifice, and the offering of the Land go to the priests, the Levites, the Sanctuary, and Jerusalem. The offering of Midian went to Eleazar the priest. The offering of the shekels went for the sockets. The offering of the Tabernacle was that from which they made the body of the Tabernacle, the oil for the light, the incense of spices, the priests' garments, and the garments of the High Priest. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani said: Three offerings are mentioned in this passage: the offering of the sockets, the offering of the shekels, and the offering of the Tabernacle. "Speak to the children of Israel, and let them take a portion for Me" is the offering of the shekels. "And this is the offering which you shall take" (Exodus 25:3) is the offering of the Tabernacle; for the Tabernacle they could do whatever they wished, so that the hand of all would be equal. The offering of the sockets is for the sockets. "The rich shall not give more" (Exodus 30:15). Rabbi Avin said: In this passage too there are three offerings: "half a shekel as an offering to the LORD" (Exodus 30:13), "shall give the offering of the LORD" (Exodus 30:14), "to give the offering of the LORD" (Exodus 30:15).

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