Terumah, Not Mikdash

If you were to sum up this week’s parsha in one word I would assume the answer would be mishkan.  However, that isn’t the name of the parsha, rather it’s Teruma.  Why is the name Teruma and not mishkan? 

The Ramban based upon the midrash, says that the mishkan was an extension of maatan Torah.  That may be why the possuk (26:30) וַהֲקֵמֹתָ֖ אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן כְּמִ֨שְׁפָּט֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הׇרְאֵ֖יתָ בָּהָֽר emphasizes the connection to mattan Torah for the mishkan is an extension of that event (footnote Likutay Sichos volume 24 pg. 16.)  The communicating with Hashem via avodah and Hashem communicating from the mishkan was a reenactment of the giving of the Torah.  However, we find a major difference between them.  After the giving of the Torah at Sinai, the place retains no kedusha at all.  On the other hand, the Tanna Deva Eliyahu Rabba at the end of chapter 25 (and Rashi in Yoma 72a and Succah 45a) say that the kedusha of the mishkan lasts even after it was hidden away.  It is clear from here that the kedusha doesn’t emanate from the avodah done within the walls, rather it is something intrinsic.  Why does the mishkan retain kedusha but Sinai doesn’t?  There is a stark difference between the kedusha which existed at Sinai and the kedusha of the mishkan.  The kedusha of Sinai came from above, it was a עתערותא מלעילא that occurred because Hashem infused the place with kedusha.  Such a kedusha has a tremendous power, but because of its great power it can’t fully be contained by the recipient.  Therefore, once the power source leaves, once the Divine presence retreated, then the kedusha vanishes along with it.  The mishkan on the other hand, obtained its kedusha from Klal Yisroel.  It was their donations and building that brought down the Divine presence.  This level of kedusha is brought about by the recipient and hence can be contained.  
That is why the name of the parsha is Teruma.  The greatness of the mishkan isn’t that the Divine presence came to rest in a building, that is no different than the revelation at Sinai, the greatness is that it’s the actions, the terumah of a person that can cause the Divine presence to rest (based upon Likutay Sichos volume 21.)