The Haftarah portion for Shabbat Terumah (I Kings 5:26-6:13) narrated in English by Ronald Guttman.
Questions for Discussion:
After describing in great length the construction of Solomon’s Temple, the haftarah states in two brief verses God’s response: God’s presence among the people depends upon their striving to adhere to God’s will, rather than on the impressiveness of the building.
• Do we sometimes pay more attention to the beauty of our religious buildings than to how we behave in them?
• How do you think God views a magnificent synagogue or church in which people are unkind, dishonest, selfish, hateful or greedy? Is that a House of God?

JTS wishes to acknowledge the generosity of the Jewish Publication Society for allowing us to use their translation.