Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 26 Adar 1, 5784
Parsha Va-Yakhel: (Exodus 35:1 – 38:20)
Fourth Portion: Exodus 36:8 – 36:19

Good morning! As we continue with Parsha Va-Yakhel, “and he assembled” we are gathering together in our spheres of influence the components we need to live our best lives!  We’ve been exploring generosity and wisdom, AND the idea of integrating wisdom and understanding within our hearts! Let’s dig in:

8Then all the wise hearted people of the performers of the work made the Mishkan out of ten curtains [consisting] of twisted fine linen, and blue, purple, and crimson wool. A cherubim design, the work of a master weaver he made them.

This is interesting, right? The “wise hearted people of the performers of the work” made the Mishkan (Tabernacle) out of 10 curtains. The design was made of the work of a master weaver – Bezalel (who we learned about in yesterday’s portion).

The name “Bazalel” means “in the shadow of God.” This resonates with the idea of protection.

In doing a lot of inner shadow work, this is where our protection lays. We are protected by the shadow of Hashem. This is not something to be afraid of.  The shadow is the one who BUILT the tabernacle. The shadow was the MASTER putting it all together.

How often are we SCARED of our shadows? Do we want them to just “go away.” How often do we see them, given them directions (as Moses did) and allow them to work.

The problem at times is our shadows take the seat of Moses – THEY lead us – instead of being led BY us. We don’t give our shadows the blueprint for success.

And here we see the process – Bezalel followed the directions of Moses perfectly:

9The length of one curtain [was] twenty eight cubits, and the width of one curtain [was] four cubits the same measure for all the curtains.

10And he joined five of these curtains to one another, and [the other] five curtains he [also] joined to one another.

11And he made loops of blue wool on the edge of one curtain [that is] at the edge of the [first] set, and he did the same on the edge of the outermost curtain of the second set.

12He made fifty loops on [the edge of] one curtain, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain in the second set; the loops corresponded to one another.

13And he made fifty golden clasps, and he fastened the curtains to one another with the clasps; so the Mishkan became one.

14And [then] he made curtains of goat hair for a tent over the Mishkan; he made them eleven curtains.

15The length of one curtain [was] thirty cubits, and the width of one curtain was four cubits; the same measure for the eleven curtains.

16And he joined the five curtains by themselves, and the [other] six curtains by themselves.

17And he made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the [first] set, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the [outermost] curtain of the second set.

18And he made fifty copper clasps to fasten the tent together so that it became one.

19And he made a covering for the tent, of ram skins dyed red and a covering of tachash skins above.

This tells me – within us – who is leading? Is our shadows leading us, or is Moses leading us within? When we struggle to be emotionally regulated? Who is guiding us – the emotions which stem from our shadows? Or the mind and heart in full alignment, harmony and coherence?

This is the takeaway today, in my opinion.  What is yours?

Here is my thought from two years ago:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 22 Adar I, 5782

So. Todays portion is basically repetition of the details of the construction of the tabernacle.

We start with the tapestries on the roof. The first layer, then the layer of goats hair, then the rams skin layer.

And that’s todays portion.

The question I’m asking myself is why? Why repeat this? What are we supposed to get from it?

Well; there is a lot written about this question so let’s look at some thoughts:

Rabbi Isaac Abravanel writes;

“The Tabernacle was actually constructed by Bezalel in a different sequence to that which God transmitted to Moses (see Rashi to 3822). When the reader notices this point, he may suspect that, in addition to changing the order ofconstruction, perhaps further changes were made. Therefore, the Torah repeated the construction process in intricate detail to show that only the order was changed, whereas all the measurements and weights were preserved

Rabbi Hayyim in Attar writes;

“The Torah repeats all the details of construction here, following its tendency to repeat things which are cherished and beloved. A precedent for this approach is the Torahs repetition of Eliezer’s account of finding a marriage partner for Isaac which was repeated due to its cherished nature (see Rashi to Genesis 24:42)

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel writes;

“The Tabernacle is a model of how God bestows His beneficence upon us, which is why each

piece of apparatus must be made with precise measurements. These physical items correspond to spiritual “vessels”-limitations, strict judgments- through which we are able to receive the infinite love of God. Although the Torah depicts the Divine Presence as dwelling in the Tabernacle, its primary resting place is in man. Therefore, when the Torah speaks of the Tabernacle, we ought to understand it as if it is speaking about man himself.”

It is this last point that I think strikes me most. The idea that God knows us each so in depth, down to every gold ring, down to every hair; and we are SO important to Him that he repeats that love time and time again. We are seen by Him. We are noticed by Him.

And that gives us space to love and be loved. We just need to see and trust that.

What are your thoughts?