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March 17, 2012
Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg
After all of the upheaval in last week’s Torah portion, after the Israelites created an idol for themselves and God punished thousands of them with death by sword and plague, after God had pledged to remove God’s presence from the midst of the Israelites, here is how this week’s double portion ends:
When Moses had finished the work, the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Presence of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it and the Presence of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifted form the Tabernacle, the Israelites would set out, on their various journeys; but if the cloud did not lift, they would not set out until such time as it did lift. For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the Lord rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night, in the view of all the house of Israel throughout their journeys.
The bulk of these two parashot – Vayakhel and Pikudei – is taken up with the detailed description of the fashioning and assemblage of the various parts and pieces of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The second parasha in the pair accounts for every part and piece of the tent, every jewel in the breastplate. And the last chapter describes Moses setting everything up.
Imagine what it might have felt like, after the enormous mess with the Golden Calf, to methodically construct a home for God, according to God’s instructions. And then, to watch as God’s Presence comes to rest in that place. What was it like to be the people in this moment? What was it like to be Bezalel and Oholiab, the skilled artisans? What was it like to be Moses? How about Aaron, who facilitated the idol worship and knows that very soon he will take the position of High Priest?
As they sewed and sawed, casted metal and wove fabric, what was going through everyone’s minds? Did they believe that God really would stick with them and come to dwell in this place? Was there a feeling of desperation? Shame? Guilt?
What does it feel like to be forgiven?
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