|
 By Howard Silverman
Beth Messiah, Columbus, Ohio
Exodus 35-40
This week's Torah portion brings us to the end of the book of Exodus. It is the narrative of the building of the Tabernacle and the indwelling of God within the Tabernacle.
Our ancient Sages gave several different reasons for the construction of the Tabernacle. One of those reasons, probably the predominant opinion, is that the Tabernacle gave the Israelites an opportunity to relive the Sinai experience over and over again. There is a variety of similarities between the Sinai experience and the presence of God in the Tabernacle. Nahum Sarna, in his book Exploring Exodus (p. 205), describes the similarities like this:
|
|
Read more...
|
 by Rabbi Paul L. Saal
Congregation Shuvah Yisrael
Bloomfield, CT
This week's parasha introduces a theme that will characterize much of the remaining narrative of Bamidbar, the Book of Numbers. Chapters 11-25 contain a series of refusals on the part of Israel to accept authority. In chapter 11, the people grumble about the unpleasantness of their journey, contrasting it with all of the nostalgic pleasantries of slavery in Egypt, exasperating both God and Moses. In chapter 12, even Miriam challenges Moses' authority. Moses' increasing frustration will later culminate with the incident of his striking the rock in chapter 20.
From a slightly different perspective, though, it is not the authority of God that is on trial in the wilderness; rather it is his salvation. While still in Egypt, Jacob's progeny worried whether Israel's God could and, even more importantly, would deliver them. Even after the miracles wrought by Moses humbled Pharaoh and his court, our people still doubted by the banks of the Reed Sea. Despite the parting of the sea, the drowning of their pursuers, and their own preservation, they continued to have doubts. Could they really have continued to question the power of God to deliver? Perhaps, but more likely they were uncertain of his desire to sustain and protect them. After all, the pantheons of the ancient world were capricious and the perils of life were uncertain.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
by Rabbi Russ Resnik
Hashem said to Moses and Aaron: This is the law of the Passover offering: . . . It shall be eaten in one house: you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house; nor shall you break a bone of it. The whole community of Israel shall offer it. Exodus 12:43, 46-47
Passover is z'man cherutenu, the season of our freedom, and themes of freedom reverberate throughout our celebration of the festival. At the original Passover, Israel was set free from the bondage of Egypt, and we tell of this deliverance every year at our seder. But Scripture highlights another theme in the Passover story, which we tend to overlook—the theme of unity. On the eve of Passover, all Israel, as one household, sacrifices a lamb at the same time and in the same manner. Each household within Israel has one lamb, and every single person within Israel must partake on the same night. Furthermore, this one lamb must be roasted whole—head, legs, and entrails-over the fire (Ex. 12:9), and kept whole—nor shall you break a bone of it (Ex. 12:46). The whole lamb is consumed in one meal, in one household, and any that is left over after the meal is to be burned in its entirety (Ex. 12:10). The unity of the lamb for each household underscores the unity of each household, which taken together form the unity of the whole household of Israel, all marked for deliverance by the blood of the Passover lamb.
|
|
Read more...
|
 by Rabbi Russ Resnik
This week's parasha brings us to a climax in Israel's story of deliverance. A few chapters earlier, the tribes of Israel finally departed from Mount Sinai, where they had camped for nearly a year to receive the Torah, build the tabernacle, and inaugurate the priesthood. Finally, the cloud of glory rose up from the encampment and Israel moved on, as Moses called out the words we repeat to this day when we take the Torah scroll out from the ark: "Kuma Adonai. Arise O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! May those who hate you flee before You!" (Num. 10:35).
Now, in this week's reading, Moses sends forth twelve scouts to spy out the territory beyond the Jordan and prepare Israel to take possession of the Promised Land. But, of course, ten spies return with an evil report that terrifies the Israelites, who refuse to go forward and take the land. The entire generation will die in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb, the two spies who brought a report of faith and encouragement.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
By Julia Blum