Dolphins?

 Vayakhel-Pekudei

Ex. 35:1 – 40:38

Précis: In Vayakhel, Moses instructs the People again on the laws of Shabbat and asks for a donation of gifts (both of material and service) for the construction of the Tabernacle. The appointment of the construction leaders is also included, and the construction begins. There are again specific descriptions of implements, articles, and of the Ark itself.

            Pekudei is the final parasha of the Book of Exodus. It begins with an inventory of the items used in the construction of the Mishkan, as well as the vessels and clothing collected by Moses and Aaron. When the accounts are squared, the completed structure is blessed. The Ark is placed within, as are the various holy vessels, and a cloud of glory descends and covers the tent.

 

Ex. 35:5-7 “Take from among the gifts to the Lord; everyone whose heart so moves him shall bring them - gifts for the Lord: gold, silver and copper; blue, purple, and crimson yarns, fine linen and goats’ hair; tanned ram skins, dolphin skins, and acacia wood…”

            So how do the Israelites in the Sinai wilderness gather dolphin skins for use in building the Mishkan? The Hebrew word is “tachash” and is translated by the Jewish Publication Society as “dolphin,” but they note that the meaning is “uncertain.”

            There are a great variety of interpretations as to the meaning of the word: a joyful color, a colorful worm, an animal with a single horn, soft-dressed skin or beaded leather. The word appears 14 times in the Bible, most of which relate to the building of the Mishkan, where the material is used as a covering for holy materials. (It also appears in Ezekiel, where it appears to be a material used in sandal making.) Another midrash suggests that the “dolphins” were connected with the miracle of the Red Sea splitting and served as fish herders, keeping the sea life safe behind watery walls (and some fell through and were preserved for the use described here).

            Most modern interpreters suggest that the word is borrowed from an Egyptian word meaning to stretch out leather in a frame. I prefer a metaphor: the tachash was rough and strong on the outside but protected the sacred within it. In that way, it seems similar to the sabra, a plant whose prickly exterior but sweet inside gave its name to native-born Israelis.

            We are left with a definitional ambiguity, but an idea to which we can all aspire: be tough, but maintain holiness within.

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The Death of a new Haman

 Ki Tissa

Ex. 30:11-34:35

 

Précis: The parasha begins with a census of the people, accomplished by the collection of a half shekel. We then return to a description of Tabernacle items, including the basin, anointing oil, and incense. The holy work of building the Tabernacle is to be interrupted by Shabbat. Then we return to narrative. Moses is given the two tablets and he descends from Mount Sinai. There he sees the people worshipping the Golden Calf. He smashes the tablets and the evil doers are punished. Moses returns up the mountain, and we next have the articulation of the 13 Attributes of God. Moses carves a new set of tablets, and returns to the People, his face radiant.

 

Deut. 25:17-19 “Remember what Amalek did to you as you came out of Egypt; how he struck those in the rear when you were faint and weary. Therefore, when Adonai your God has given you rest from your enemies in the Land… you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; you will not forget.”

Given the events of this past week, I’ve chosen not to look to this week’s reading, but instead to that of last week, when we observed “Shabbat Zachor,” the Shabbat of Remembrance (which takes place on the Shabbat before the holiday of Purim). It is one of the special Shabbatot leading up to Passover. The verse above is an important one when we consider our response to evil in the world.

            Others have noted that there is also a connection between Haman and Khameni. Both were Persian, and both sought to exterminate the Jewish People. Both died because of their fomentation of genocide.

            Our tradition has another connection to current events. Haman is a descendant of Amalek, and we remember them to blot them out. Khameni was a de facto Amalekite and richly deserved his fate at the hands of Israel. In so doing, the IDF was following the Jewish obligation of destroying evil in the world, particularly when they threatened the Jewish State. We should remember that for more than three decades, Khameni led the chants of “Death to Israel, Death to America.” These were not idle threats. Iran’s support of terrorists across the Middle East and across the world were designed to lead to the goals of their death chants.

            I fully support the results of the actions undertaken to eliminate the threats of Iran to Israel and perhaps to the United States. But as a believer in the rule of law, I cannot forget that under current American law the President is precluded from initiating military action unless there is an “imminent threat” to our nation.  Such a threat has not been articulated let alone demonstrated.  As an additional connection to the Purim story, even King Achashverosh’s actions were limited by Persian law, since he could not revoke Haman’s orders made under the king’s seal. Our President should be similarly bound by law.

Finally, successful national building in the Middle East by foreign powers has never been successful. We can only pray that such efforts will be successful this time around.

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