Vahyakehl-Pekude, Exodus 35:1 –40:38

This week’s double portion, Vahyakehl –Pekude, concludes the book of Exodus with with a gathering of the entire people and a repetition of the instructions to build the Tabernacle in the desert.

From the voluntary contributions of the people, the fabrics, metals, threads, wood and skins were acquired to build the portable place of GodÂ’s Divine Presence among the people. The Shekinah, GodÂ’s Divine Presence lives among the heartfelt gifts, of the people.

In the portion, the generosity of the Children of Israel is overwhelming. “All the wise people came-those performing the sacred work, each of them from the work that they were doing and they said to Moses, as follows, “ The people are bringing more than enough for the labor of the work that God has commanded to perform.” (Ex. 36:4-5)

The people provided all that the inspired workers need to complete, the ark, and the utensils and the Tent of the Tabernacle itself. Moses even has to instruct the people to stop their offerings and they were even restrained from bringing any additional gifts.

The dedication of the Children of Israel in completing this task, speaks to each of us and to the institutions we support. The Children of IsraelÂ’s example is that their free will offerings provide amply for GodÂ’s dwelling place. They give freely, generously and with a dedication that seems endless.

Today we have no Ohel Moed, rather the synagogue is the central institution of Jewish life. The Synagogue is our meeting place with the Divine. The Children of Israel’s example is one we should follow. The synagogue should be supported freely, generously and with a dedication that seems endless. This holds true not only through financial support—but with free will offerings of time and human resources!

The synagogue is the glue that holds us together as people. As a place of tefillah - prayer, Talmud torah – Jewish learning, and as a beit k’nesset, place of communal gathering, the synagogue provides the best outlet for learning and teaching and living out of our Jewish ideals, values and the mitzvot. The synagogue at its best open’s our hearts to God and to healing the world. The synagogue helps us transform ourselves into the messengers of the Divine purpose in the world.

The institution of the synagogue deserves to be supported with an equal amount of generosity as the children of Israel gave to the Tent of Meeting.

So many in our day and age, shun ‘organized religion’ and shun the synagogue. And yet, they are missing out—missing out on the deliciously complex, intellectually challenging, heartfelt connections that a synagogue membership and experience can become.

The synagogue is about engagement with tradition, God, and the world. DonÂ’t be left out of this spiritual quest.

Posted by Lee at March 21, 2004 03:32 PM