Ex. 18:1 - 20:23
Précis: Following last week’s trip through the Red Sea, Moses is reunited with his father-in-law Jethro (“Yitro”) and with his family. Yitro acknowledges God, gives wise advice to Moses about delegating responsibility, and Moses appoints assistants (judges). The Israelites come to the foot of Mount Sinai where, in the ultimate transcendental experience, Revelation takes place as the “Ten Utterances” (Commandments) are spoken to the People by the very Voice of God.
Ex. 20:21 “Make for me an altar of earth and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your sacrifices of well-being, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you.”
As is mentioned in Etz Hayim, the word for place (“Makom”) can be interpreted as a “sacred site,” which thus implies that there can be numerous altars scattered throughout the land, in contrast to what we read in much of rest of the Torah which concentrates worship in one national center – Jerusalem. Indeed, this interpretation is of terrific importance, because it reveals that God’s presence is not limited to a single place.
This past week, we have witnessed yet another antisemitic attack on a Jewish place of worship, this time in Texas, and fortunately without the death of any congregants who nevertheless survived a horrid period of being held hostage. The fact that the neighboring religious institutions of all kinds (Protestant, Catholic, Muslim and others) quickly gathered to voice their solidarity with those under siege – is a sign that a Makom can be a haven for all who believe in God, in whatever way they do so.
It is a reminder to all of us that our own Jewish institutions must be both a Makom and a place of safety to all who attend. With the help of local and state police, the FBI, and our own defense-oriented institutions, we can be partners with God in safeguarding all who enter our sacred sites.
