Vayakheil-Pikudei: the dream

This week’s double parsha outlines the construction of the Mishkan, the portable temple. It is the culmination of the four and one half parshioth that end the book of Exodus. Terumah and Titzaveh outlined the plans. Vayakheil tells of the production and the pieces are assembled in Pikudei.  It is a story of project management. It has the satisfying ending of completion.

The pieces that are to be assembled are praised as being done in accordance with the Divine instructions

וַיַּ֨רְא מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־כׇּל־הַמְּלָאכָ֗ה וְהִנֵּה֙ עָשׂ֣וּ אֹתָ֔הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְ

 

And Moshe saw all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moshe blessed them.

 

Following instructions is the value that is emphasized. Was there room for creativity? Yes, but strictly within the bounds set by the instructions. This is the essence of formal education. No one questions the source of the instructions or the accuracy of their transmission. Such questions do not belong in the  context of this text. They are more valid, more necessary, in our everyday lives.

 

 

The reading ends with the erection of the mishkan, an Ikea-like process of fitting together pieces fabricated to specifications. How satisfying it is  when they all fit.

 

Finally, the cloud hovers over the sanctuary and the glory of Gd fills the space. Not even Moses can enter the sanctuary now, it is occupied.

 

The last three verses of the book of Exodus say that the cloud that hovered over the כְב֣וֹד (Kavod – the glory,honor, heaviness) of Gd,  would guide the  Israelites in their travels through the desert, and, presumably, to the Holy Land, the place of rest. The cloud would guide the tabernacle, the journey was directed by the Gd, the tabernacle chased after the guiding cloud.

 

From this ending it seems that it would have been more appropriate if Bamidbar ( “in the desert”, rendered as Numbers in King James) were the next book, since it deals with the travels. Actually, Vayikra ( Leviticus) follows. Vayikra is a description of the sacrificial rite and the laws of the purity required for its performance. The human and animal interaction with the tabernacle needed to be explicated. The sacrificial rite  gives a comprehensible  purpose to this huge investment of materials and labor.

 

Now, the tabernacle is completed. It is right on time for the first anniversary of the Exodus. It is the first of Nissan, the month that is starting this week. Nissan is a milestone is the preparation for Passover, the celebration of the Exodus.

 

 The pieces are made, they fit together. But as a description, there is not difference between the plans, the construction, and the assembly.  To us, it is all an imagined thing. And it is gone. As a testament to Gd’s presence and guidance, that seems to have faded quickly. The sacrificial function is what remained… until 2000 years ago. Since then, it has all been less substantial than a cloud… it has been a dream. I prefer the dream of Divine guidance which I take to mean  enlightenment over the sacrificial rite - the constant test of obedience.  Perhaps my preferences need to be put aside.