Parashat Trumah (meaning contribution) is the first of a series of parshiot detailing the building of the Mishkan and the items it held. The 39 categories of work forbidden on Shabbat are taken from the work that was required to build the Mishkan, as G-d told us to halt work on the Mishkan on Shabbat. Ex. 31:13 (see both text and commentary). After all, if building the Mishkan was not a good reason for violating Shabbat, what, other than saving a life, could be?
Torah Thoughts
In Parashat Trumah, “every person whose heart moves him” is asked to donate gifts to make the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, etc. The Ark of the Covenant is specifically described as being topped with two charubs facing each other, attached to carrying rods with rings of gold.
My thoughts on the parsha are here:
You may also want to listen to this commentary by the late Rabbi Oliver Sacks, who explained that by giving ourselves, we learn to appreciate.