Parsha Points

This week’s Parasha, Pekudei, is not only the culmination to the Book of Exodus, but also the concluding Shabbat of the year, if you, like the Torah herself, count Nissan as the first month. That’s why this is a special Shabbat called Shabbat HaChodesh, where a second Sefer Torah will be used for the Maftir (Ex. 12:1-20) to explain about the festival of Pesach, which we are only too aware is a mere two weeks away. (!!) Coincidentally, this year Rosh Chodesh Nisan begins right after Shabbat, or “Motzash”, as the cognoscenti call: Motzei Shabbat.   

So, how does Parshat Pekudei tie up this multiplex of grand finales? For the past five sedras, the Torah has been outlining how the mishkan and her holy vessels are to be built and the sartorial details of the Kohanim’s sacred clothing. The sedra opens with a tally of the first building fund campaign in Jewish history, whereby accounting the exact amounts of gold, silver and copper donated for the construction of the sacred objects and materials for the Mishkan.  Wow! Were our ancestors generous! Moshe then commends the master-craftsman, Betzalel, for his multiplicity of artistic skills and holy ability to create as G-d had commanded Moshe. The Torah explains how Betzalel crafted the Bigdei Kodesh, the sacral vestments for the High Priest Aaron: the ephod (apron) with golden straps, the gem-studded choshen mishpat (Breastplate of Judgment), the Me’il (robe) with its golden bells and pomegranates, the Tzitz (golden headband) engraved with the words, “Holy to G-d”, as well as all the other priestly garments, like tunics, turbans, sashes and pants.  For anyone with a flair for fashion and handiwork, this is a wonderfully panache-filled parasha and an aesthete’s dream.  38:21-39:31 

At this point, the construction of the Mishkan, its vessels and other holy paraphernalia were complete. The artisans brought their finished products to Moshe, who surveyed the work and acknowledged that it had been completed to Gd's specifications, and he blessed the workers. Sound a little familiar?  You may hear the parallel in language with Bereshit, when G-d created the world for us by a Divine creative process, followed by a finishing, va’yachal, and then blessing, though here Moshe blesses the craftsmen themselves.  You will recall that in Exodus 25:8, at the beginning of Terumah, G-d spearheaded this mishkan project with the request: “Make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.”  Initially, G-d made a home for us—and, now, as we are becoming a People, we make a sacred dwelling for G-d in perfect relational symmetry. 39:32-43 

When does Gd instruct Moshe to erect the Mishkan? Unsurprisingly, the first of Nissan. Gd then guides Moshe where to place all the sacred objects, to dress Aaron and his sons in the priestly garments and to sanctify the vessels and priests with anointing oil.  Then, the Divine Presence filled the mishkan. Though Moshe could not enter the Mishkan when this Cloud of Glory was there, the cloud guided Bnei Yisrael through the desert. 40:1-38 

This movable sanctuary will not only accompany the Children of Israel during the next 39 years of their wilderness journey, but will remain the focal point of Israelite life. May we all continue the sacred work and art of creating a space where G-d can live among us.   

Chazak chazak v’nitchazek.   

Shabbat Shalom! 

Karen Knie-Cahana