Building

Have you ever tried to build anything? It is no easy task!

This week’s double Torah portion, Vayakhel and Pekudei, completes both the Book of Exodus and the building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The first commandment concerning the Mishkan appeared earlier in Exodus: “They will make for me a Mikdash (holy sanctuary) and I will dwell among them.” [Exodus 25:8] What follows is a blueprint of the Tabernacle and all of its components. There are precise instructions for everything. in fact five of the eleven Torah portions in Exodus are devoted exclusively to it and to every bit of minutia about its building and materials. Why so much time on this tent of meeting in the wilderness? The Tabernacle formed the center of all Jewish life and activity for the Israelites. As they wandered in the desert it was a home and a comfort.
The Tabernacle was the place where all the religious needs of our ancestors were met. For 40 years as they wandered through the wilderness, it served as the spiritual and cultural center of the nation of Israel. This was no small achievement considering that the people numbered over two million if we add all the numbers up. All of these people were encamped, so to speak, around this Tabernacle as they moved slowly through the wilderness.
Today we have no Tabernacle We no longer bring offerings to God for sacrifice. So what forms the center of our Jewish lives? Where do we nurture our connection to one another and nurture our relationship with God? I believe we accomplish this through our involvement in synagogue life and our Jewish community. Our membership and involvement in a synagogue enable us to nurture our spiritual lives and strengthen our souls.
Judaism teaches, "Do not separate yourself from your community." Being involved, being counted, strengthens us as individuals as it strengthens the communal fabric, and surprisingly will also strengthen the fabric of your being.
Our ancestors brought gifts to God. They brought animal sacrifices. Today we bring our words and our actions as our offerings.
This Sunday I would love for you to join me as we discuss our future adult education program here at the synagogue…I would love your feedback and thoughts. We are meeting at 11am in my office.