This week's portion focuses on the artistry of the Tabernacle, where the Ark of the Lord was to be kept, and which would be the central focus of prayer. The work of the chief artisan, Bezalel -- for whom a famous art academy in Jerusalem is named -- is described in detail, as is the final dedication of the Tabernacle, the culmination of several chapters of detailed descriptions.
The additional reading, from the Book of Kings, relates the parallel story of the dedication of the Holy Temple by King Solomon. The Tabernacle was temporary; the Temple was the permanent dwelling for the Lord among the people. These were two major peaks of Jewish history. And yet the story continued. the Bible does not end on these happy notes, as it could have done.
We know what happens, eventually: the Temple is destroyed and the people are gathered. And though they return, and the Second Temple is built, that, too, is destroyed, and the people are exiled once again. Today, we live in an era where Jews have a State of Israel, a spiritual homeland that some see as the sign of further fulfillment to come. We can't know; but we can help it thrive.
This week’s portion launches the great story of Abraham, who is told to leave everything of his life behind — except his immediate family — and to leave for “the Land that I shall show you.”
There’s something interesting in the fact that Abraham is told to leave his father’s house, as if breaking away from his father’s life — but his father, in fact, began the journey, moving from Ur to Haran (in last week’s portion). His father set a positive example — why should Abraham leave him?
Some obvious answers suggest themselves — adulthood, needing to make one’s own choices, his father not going far enough, etc.
But I think there is another answer. Abraham (known for the moment as Abram) needs to establish his own household. This is not just about making one’s own choice, but really about choosing one’s own starting point. It’s starting over.
Sometimes we start over in fundamental ways even if much that surrounds us remains the same. Sometimes the journey we have to ...
The story of Noah is familiar; the details, less so.
Noah is often seen as an ambivalent figure. He was righteous -- but only for his generation. What was his deficiency?
One answer suggests itself: knowing that the world was about to be flooded, he built an Ark for the animals and for his own family -- but did not try to save anyone else or to convince them to repent and change their ways (the prophet Jonah, later, would share that reluctance).
Abraham, later, would set himself apart by arguing with God -- with the Lord Himself! -- against the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying that they should be saved if there were enough righteous people to be found (there were not).
Still, Noah was good enough -- and sometimes, that really is sufficient to save the world. We don't need heroes every time -- just ordinary decency.
Hi all -- as I noted last month, I'm going to be closing down my Locals page, at least for tips and subscriptions -- I may keep the page up and the posts as well, but I'm no longer going to be accepting any kind of payment.
Look for cancelation in the very near future. Thank you for your support!
