Parshat Pekude; Exodus 38:21 -40:38 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
Our Torah portion Pekude is the last portion of the book of Exodus. With the reading on this Shabbat we conclude the first part of our narrative of freedom. The beginning of the portion is a summation of the building of the Tabernacle. This section records in detail the amounts of gold, silver and copper used in the construction of the various sections of the Tent of Meeting and the instruments of worship. Next it describes the dress of the Priests in detail and when the work was completed our portion says: “Moses blessed them (Ex. 39:43).” Even before the Tabernacle was erected and dedicated, a blessing completed their sacred work. This reminds the craftsmen and builders that their work is more than just executing details of an architectural plan. They have completed a Divine plan! This blessing by Moses also completes a different cycle. Once at the foot of Sinai, the Children of Israel urged Aaron to build a god for them. They brought their jewelry forward and a molten calf was made. They worship before it and broke the covenant they had made with the Eternal. Their sin was grievous. But now they have dedicated their many gifts of gold and silver and copper, yarns and linens and created sacred place for the Shekinah to dwell. Their holy work transformed the Israelites from sinners to partners once again with the Holy One. Thus Moses blessed their work and blessed them.
Throughout most of the description in the book of Exodus the word for the work or labor that is used to create the Ohel Moed, the Tabernacle is the Hebrew word, melacha. In fact it appears in as such in verse 38:24 and through the portion. But in verse Ex. 39:42 a different word is used, for completing the work. Here the word avodah is used—this Hebrew word means work but also it is the word for sacred service or worship of God executed by the priests. The work to build the tabernacle was not merely building, designing, carving, weaving, sewing and smelting metals. The work of building God’s dwelling place amid the people Israel is Divine service—no less important than the sacred service and worship that will eventually be offered by the priesthood at the altar in the Tabernacle! This group of former slaves who built the garrison cities and palaces of Egypt have now built a different kind of building. They have built a place for the Divine Presence to dwell and the work of their hands has brought the Glory of God, to descend upon the Tabernacle.
Indeed as our portion closes the Cloud or Glory of God does fill the Tabernacle. These builders are not builders but it is as if they too are priests who can through their unity and common work bring the Divine Presence near. They help to fulfill the idea expressed earlier in Exodus, “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex. 19:6).”
It is still our inheritance to be builders of holy, sacred space and to strive to be that kingdom of priest and a holy nation. May we be inspired by this week’s parasha to achieve that goal.
As we end a book of the Torah, we say the words, Chazak, Chazak v’nitchazek... Be Strong, Be Strong and we shall be strengthened. May the work of building sacred space and studying Torah give the Jewish people, strength.
Posted by Aaron at March 3, 2008 09:45 AM
