Teruma - Spiritual AI
The Mishkan teaches that innovation must be guided by purpose and divine values.
Tonight, we welcome Rabbi Avi Rosenfeld as our Scholar-in-Residence. Rabbi Rosenfeld is a Professor of Computer Science at Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT) and an adjunct professor at Yeshiva University. An expert in AI and data science, he has published extensively and is passionate about exploring the intersection of AI and Judaism.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative forces of our time, revolutionizing medicine, finance, defense, and countless other fields. Incredibly, Israel—despite its small size—has an outsized impact on the world, standing at the forefront of this revolution with groundbreaking contributions to AI research, cybersecurity, and innovation.
Parshat Teruma describes the construction of the Mishkan, which required not just physical materials but human ingenuity, led by Betzalel and Oholiav, whom the Torah says were endowed with chochma (wisdom), tevuna (understanding), and da’at (connection). The Mishkan was a technological marvel of its time, just as AI is reshaping our world today. The Kuzari teaches that the only difference between Avoda Zara (idolatry) and the Keruvim on the Aron Kodesh is that one was commanded by God, while the other was not. This highlights the delicate balance between progress and purpose—modern technology, if not spiritually directed, can be as dangerous as it is powerful.
This Shabbat is also Shabbat Shekalim, marking the mitzvah of the half-shekel, a universal contribution—where every person gave the same amount, contrasting with the Teruma donations, which were given from the heart, with no set amount. These two forms of giving parallel two approaches to building in the Mishkan, as described in the Midrash. The first is the Menorah that Moshe struggled to make, until Hashem miraculously formed it when Moshe threw the gold into the fire. The second is the Klei HaMikdash, the holy vessels of the Mishkan, crafted by Betzalel, using divine wisdom but built by human hands.
Similarly, the half-shekel represents unity under the banner of Hashem, while free-will donations in Teruma reflect individual contribution.
This connects to Rosh Chodesh Adar, a time of marbin b’simcha—an increase in joy. The message of this Rosh Chodesh is that true happiness comes from making a meaningful impact while staying within the framework of Hashem’s guidance. Perhaps this is the lesson that Israel and the Jewish people, at the forefront of AI, can teach the world—that creativity and innovation are most admirable when they serve a higher purpose.
By doing so, we elevate our advancements into a Kiddush Hashem, preparing the world for the ultimate era of Mashiach, when technology and spirituality will merge in ways we can only imagine.
Shabbat Shalom!