Blueprints

Vayakel - Pekudei

Ex. 35:1 – 40:30

Précis:  In Vayakel, the first of this double parasha, 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.

            In Pekudei, the final parasha of the Book of Exodus 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. 25:30 “And Moses said to the Israelites, ‘See, Adonai has singled out by name Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah…He has endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft.’”

Rabbi Elan Babchuck has taught an interesting interpretation about the building of the Tabernacle and its implements which are extensively detailed in this week’s readingt. (Torah Sparks, 3/11/16). Moses explains to the chief of construction, Bezalel, the plans Moses had previously received from God (Ex. 31:7-8). However, Moses makes an error in his instructions by telling Bezalel to first fashion the implements and then to build this Mishkan.

            According to the Talmud (Brachot 55a) Bezalel, who has been described as being imbued by God with special talent, corrects Moses and says "Wouldn't it make sense to build the house first and then fill it with furniture?" Moses replies: "Perhaps you were be-tzel El ("in the shadow of God," a play on Bezalel's name) when God spoke to me, because that's precisely what God instructed me." According to Rabbi Babchuck, the text tells us that "all that God had commanded Moses" had been done, and this statement is repeated no fewer than 18 times. Since there are no words within the Torah that are extraneous, this repetition needs examination.

            Bezalel has received a detailed blueprint. Anyone who has dealt with construction knows that every detail in the prints are important. An error can undo the integrity of the whole. If we  read  the words of Torah as a blueprint for how to “build” our lives, we have 18 reminders (chai = life) to make sure that our spiritual lives are constructed with the same attention to detail as the Mishkan. The result? A stable, movable life which offers a welcome to the Divine Presence.