Nature and Human Creativity

 Vayikra

Lev. 1:1 - 5:26

 

Précis: The title of the Third Book of the Torah, Vayikra (“And He called”) is usually translated as “Leviticus” in English, from its Septuagint (Greek) name, which in turn is based on the fact that much of the Book concerns ritual sacrifices performed under the auspices of the Levites.

            The introduction to this Book in Etz Hayim reminds us that the “central concern” of the ancient Israelites was “how they were to express their loyalty” to Adonai. The answer was through ritual sacrifices.  Yet, these rituals ceased to exist with the destruction of the Second Temple.

            We continued to study the instructions of Vayikra for centuries in part because of a belief that a restoration of the sacrificial system would occur, and most traditional congregations continue to pray for its restoration in their liturgies. Whether many modern Jews would like to see it actually reintroduced is highly unlikely.

 

Lev.1:1 “Adonai called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying...”

            As noted, much of this Book focuses on the details of sacrifices which few of us would really like to see restored (although I did in fun suggest once that a sacrificed bull in the shul parking lot could be reimagined as a fund-raising barbeque!).

            Like most elements of Torah which we find unappealing, if we peel back some of the words, we can find modern day applicability. In this chapter, we review the various kinds of things sacrificed, including animals, oil mixtures with grains or flour, of incense made of resins of plants. As Rabbi Devora E. Weisberg noted in this week’s 10 Minutes of Torah, these items include things both in their natural state, and others which have been produced by human effort. This suggests that our relationship to the Divine can be maintained by both the natural world and our own hands. In other words, we can express our gratitude for our daily blessings and experience God’s presence both through nature and through acts of human creativity.

            As we approach Passover in a few short days, we understand that most will probably have an unusual Seder for a second time. Instead of seeing this as a negative, perhaps we can see it as an opportunity to reestablish emotional ties with our friends and family using our own creativity, and thereby celebrate the blessings we have all received despite the troubles we have faced in the last year.

Accountability

 Vayakel- Pekudei

 

Ex. 35:1 – 40:38

Précis: In Vayakel, 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. 35:21 “These are the records of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of Meeting, which were drawn up at Moses’ bidding - the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the Priest.”

 

Moses had ordered the building of the Tabernacle at God’s command, and its construction was under the supervision of Aaron, the High Priest and his son Ithamar. Some may wonder why our text appears to be a recapitulation of all of the contributions to the building of the Tabernacle, and how those contributions were used. In fact, the Sages teach us an important lesson here. Communal efforts must be transparent and reported clearly.

            Certainly, this is a lesson we should all appreciate. In recent years, our governments at various levels seem to have made the kind of mistakes which our narrative would abhor. Nepotism, self-dealing, ethical failures, refusing to make public that which the public has the right to know: all of these have always been commonplace in the “spoils system” of the American polity. And yet, the impact of these actions has been cumulative, and have in no small part contributed to the growing disparity between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Huge political contributions from unnamed sources are a factor in the growing polarization of our American lives, where virtually every issue has become political.

            Moses, teaches us  of the desperate need for clarity, accuracy, and accountability by all of our leaders.