{"id":43987,"date":"2018-07-09T18:51:02","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T15:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-1018\/"},"modified":"2022-06-09T09:56:31","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T06:56:31","slug":"wall-1018","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-1018\/","title":{"rendered":"weekend-from-20220605-to-20220611"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"weekend","wall_id":"1018","date_from":"20220605","date_to":"20220611","book":"Exodus","books_group":"Torah","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"105578","color":"#effaea","size":"2","name":"Parashat Naso': Lift Up Their Heads - And Notice Them ","post_title":"Parashat Naso': Lift Up Their Heads - And Notice Them","slug":"parashat-naso-lift-up-their-heads-and-notice-them","old_id":"105578","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":105579,"post_title":"Carol Glass","slug":"carol-glass","old_id":"105579","first_name":"Carol ","last_name":"Glass ","description":"Rabbi Carol Glass was ordained among the first 100 female rabbis worldwide, Carol has served on campuses, in synagogues, and currently serves as a hospice chaplain. Carol also facilitates Mussar groups in Greater Boston. She practices the healing art of Reiki, is a gardener, an occasional bird-watcher, and she enjoys repurposing other people\u2019s discards. \r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Carol Glass was ordained among the first 100 female rabbis worldwide, Carol has served on campuses, in synagogues, and currently serves as a hospice chaplain. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":105580,"alt":"","title":"-62a0f78ae2617--62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg.jpg","width":1908,"height":2560,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg-224x300.jpg","medium-width":224,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg-763x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":763,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg-763x1024.jpg","large-width":763,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg.jpg","1536x1536-width":1145,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg.jpg","2048x2048-width":1526,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg-894x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":894,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2022\/06\/62a0f78ae2617-62a0f78ae2618Carol-Glass.jpg-313x420.jpg","home_baner-width":313,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1018","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Moving towards equity, inclusion, and diversity by truly seeing others and sharing our bounty with them\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

By mandating a 7<\/span>th<\/span> year cessation of all agricultural production and the release of intra-Jewish debts, shmita is a highly \u2018disruptive\u2019 ancient Jewish practice with important lessons for today\u2019s world. As Kohenet Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny <\/span>has pointed out<\/span><\/a>: Shmita slows down the race to the top (of production and power), supports more equitable distribution of wealth, and promotes generosity, forward planning, and collective care, while encouraging self-control for the long haul.<\/span> Shmita is about love of land and it is also about love of and for, all people and creatures.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It is by interrupting our drives to produce, accumulate wealth, compete, and establish boundaries, that we learn that drives are not the same as needs---that sharing, reducing what separates us, and watching out for one another make for a holier (holistic) existence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Our parasha, in choosing the word \u2018Naso\u2019 (see <\/span>Num 4:22<\/span><\/a>), emphasizes this message. In Biblical Hebrew the phrase \u201cNaso et Rosh\u201d is used to mean \u201cTake a census of\u2026\u201d however, <\/span>Naso <\/span><\/i>literally means \u201ccarry, lift up\u201d, and also \u201cforgive\u201d; so the phrase \u2018<\/span>naso et rosh<\/span><\/em>\u2026\u2019 <\/span><\/i>literally means \u2018Lift up the heads of\u2026\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Why is it that the act of census-taking employs language of up-lifting heads, noticing others, and the conferring of dignity? It is because of the tremendous value that Jews place on every individual and their uniqueness. We know from the creation story (Genesis 1:28) that each of us is created <\/span>b\u2019tzelem<\/span><\/em>, in the image of The Holy One. Each person is alike and equally, infinitely valuable, while also unique in what they offer to society.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When taking a census, the tendency is to focus on the collective\u2014how many people constitute the whole.\u00a0 Our Torah portion teaches that we should not regard people as mere numbers; rather, we are expected to find the Divine in the Other, ensure dignity, and even \u2018carry\u2019 the other at times. \u2026And, we might imagine the impact of applying this way of \u2018counting\u2019 beyond census-taking e.g. to choosing teammates, greeting newcomers, and developing organizations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

If we use Shmita practice to assist us in moving towards equity, inclusion, and diversity by truly seeing others, sharing our bounty with them, and reducing indebtedness we unconsciously hold over them, we just might begin to realize <\/span>the vision of Parker Palmer <\/span><\/a>who writes: \u201cIf we dare to move through our fear, to practice knowing as a form of love, we might\u2026enter a partnership with the otherness of the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

*This is the Torah reading for Diaspora communities. Israeli and Diaspora communities will become \"synced\" again at Parashat Devarim.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

This year is the shmita year: Shmita means a sabbatical year for the Earth but also for ourselves, our communities, and our world. Each week we continue to share thoughts on how the weekly parsha can help guide our thinking around shmita themes of work and rest, wealth and debt, responsible land use, fair labor practices, private and public property ownership, and physical and spiritual revitalization.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

See here for more information on the Hazon Shmita project, and its blogs.<\/a><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"A Weekly Series: The \"Shmitah Parasha\" Blog","tile_main_caption":"Parashat Naso'*: Lift Up Their Heads - And Notice Them","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"in conjunction with Hazon.org","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1018"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"368","name":"Parasha","old_id":"768"},{"term_id":"494","name":"Shmita","old_id":"894"},{"term_id":"689","name":"Census","old_id":"1089"}]},{"order":2,"id":"40574","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"We Are An Exodus People","post_title":"We Are An Exodus People","slug":"we-are-an-exodus-people","old_id":"40574","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":40575,"post_title":"Sharon Brous","slug":"sharon-brous","old_id":"40575","first_name":"Sharon","last_name":"Brous","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":40576,"alt":"","title":"\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","width":225,"height":225,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","medium-width":225,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","medium_large-width":225,"medium_large-height":225,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","large-width":225,"large-height":225,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","1536x1536-width":225,"1536x1536-height":225,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","2048x2048-width":225,"2048x2048-height":225,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","post_full_size-width":225,"post_full_size-height":225,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d3.jpg","home_baner-width":225,"home_baner-height":225}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"51","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"It is the God of Exodus who teaches humankind to respond to injustice with hope, courage and determination","post_main_content_content":"

The Torah begins in \"gan eden\" \u2014 the Garden of Eden, a place of pure perfection in which there is no suffering, no longing, no loss. But from the height of physical and spiritual fulfillment, the Book of Genesis goes on to narrate one story after another of descent and exile. It is a book of expulsion, punishment, and global destruction, of conflict within families and conflict between nations. Genesis concludes with the Israelite people\u2019s descent into Egypt, setting the stage for generations of slavery and suffering.<\/p>\r\n

But our story doesn\u2019t end with the Book of Genesis. We immediately turn to Exodus, a book that begins with the Israelites thrust into slavery, degraded, humiliated and tortured. But it quickly turns to a story of miracles, of plagues and wonders, of a fiery partnership between God and humankind, rooted in holiness in time (Shabbat) and in space (mishkan, the tabernacle). In contrast to Genesis, this book tells a story of ascent, of redemption. It is a story in which\u2014 from depths of darkness\u2014 we affirm the possibility of light. A story in which the people, for generations squeezed in the narrowness of Mitzrayim, Egypt, come to embody the expansiveness of human potential. A light unto the nations\u2014 a symbol for all time of the impossible made possible.<\/p>\r\n

It is the God of Exodus who teaches humankind to respond to injustice with hope, courage and determination. And it is the story of the Exodus that offers the most potent and undeniable counter-testimony to the reality of our world. Just when the darkness seems to eclipse any light, just when we\u2019re spent, ready to succumb to the triumph of evil, we\u2019re called to remember the great dream that was born with the writing of this epic story.<\/p>\r\n

Because the Jewish people ultimately is not a Genesis people. We are an Exodus people.<\/p>\r\n

The dream of the Exodus\u2014with its promise that the trajectory of our lives is from darkness to light, grief to celebration, degradation to dignity\u2014 has kept the Jewish people alive. It has given us the strength to survive years of scarcity and suffering, and the direction to live with gratitude and meaning in the years of abundance and blessing. Rav Kook taught that the whole world stands on our ability to dream great dreams. This story reminds us that our very survival rests on our ability to dream bold, impossible dreams.<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":65337,"alt":"","title":"is11-peace-justice-world","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world.jpg","width":1920,"height":730,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-300x114.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":114,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-768x292.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":292,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-1024x389.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":389,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":584,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":730,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-1200x456.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":456,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-1105x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1105,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"We Are An Exodus People","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"It is the God of Exodus who teaches humankind to respond to injustice with hope, courage and determination","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":65337,"alt":"","title":"is11-peace-justice-world","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world.jpg","width":1920,"height":730,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-300x114.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":114,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-768x292.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":292,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-1024x389.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":389,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":584,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":730,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-1200x456.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":456,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is11-peace-justice-world-1105x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1105,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":"1","chapter_main_number":"51","date":"20251109","wall_id":"51"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"391","name":"In\/Justice","old_id":"791"},{"term_id":"462","name":"Identity","old_id":"862"},{"term_id":"601","name":"Exodus","old_id":"1001"}]},{"order":3,"id":"44101","color":"#f7e9e9","size":"1","name":"Jacob Finds Comfort Outside His Comfort Zone ","post_title":"Jacob Finds Comfort Outside His Comfort Zone","slug":"jacob-finds-comfort-outside-his-comfort-zone","old_id":"44101","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36663,"post_title":"Beth Kissileff","slug":"beth-kissileff","old_id":"36663","first_name":"Beth ","last_name":"Kissileff ","description":"Beth Kissileff is the editor of the anthology Reading Genesis (2016 - https:\/\/www.bloomsbury.com\/us\/reading-genesis-9780567381521), and the forthcoming Reading Exodus, and the author of the novel Questioning Return - https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Questioning-Return-Novel-Beth-Kissileff\/dp\/1942134231. \r\nHer journalism appears in many publications; she has taught most recently at the University of Pittsburgh. Visit her online at www.bethkissileff.com. ","short_description":"Beth Kissileff is the editor of the anthology Reading Genesis (Bloomsbury\/ T and T Clark, 2016) , a journalist and teacher.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36664,"alt":"","title":"BethKissileff","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","width":3478,"height":3200,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-300x276.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":276,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-768x707.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":707,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-1024x942.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":942,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1413,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1884,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-1200x1104.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1104,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-456x420.jpg","home_baner-width":456,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1018","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Making connections in a story bookended by angels ","post_main_content_content":"

There is an old joke about how when a\u00a0 rabbi leaves her or his position at a synagogue, friends ask was it vayetze<\/em> (\"he went out\") or \u201cvayishlach<\/em>\u201d (\"he was sent out\").\u00a0 Whether a person is fired or resigns, goes willingly or not makes a big difference to the meaning of the story and how it is told.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

There is a profound lesson behind this joke: how do we see what happens to us in life?\u00a0 Do we have agency or not?\u00a0 How much control do we really have over our lives?<\/p>\r\n

What I find amazing about this parasha is that the exiled Jacob finds connection.\u00a0 As soon as he leaves Beer Sheva to go towards Haran (28: 10) he \u201calights upon\u201d a place (28:11).\u00a0 The verb used, \u201cvayifga<\/em>\u201d is an unusual one , used\u00a0 here\u00a0 and again at the end of the parasha, when angels encounter him upon his return after 20 long years (32:2).\u00a0 The root of the word p-g-'<\/em>\u00a0can mean \u201cmeet or encounter\u201d \u201crequest\u201d and also \"injure,\" as in the modern Hebrew \u201cpigu'a<\/em>\u201d for a terrorist attack.\u00a0 Thus there is a sense that for Jacob, an innocent man, a tent dweller (25:27), danger is present in encountering the world, leaving his most comfortable way to exist.\u00a0 Yet he is compelled to go, whether or not it is his desire or plan.<\/p>\r\n

But as he leaves, he begins to change from the simple and perhaps na\u00efve Jacob he once was. The Talmud teaches that the meaning of \u201cvayifga bamakom<\/em>,\u201d is that \u201che encountered the Place,\u201d as \u201cmakom<\/em>\u201d is one of the many names for God, and that this is Jacob\u2019s creation of the evening prayer. The important thing here is that adrift and away from home as he is, Jacob finds a way to connect, first with God and then with his newfound relatives.<\/p>\r\n

And once he prays, he dreams, and a new level of connection becomes apparent: his vision of a ladder with angels of God ascending and descending.\u00a0 God speaks to him from the ladder and assures him that He will be with him. Jacob acknowledges this divine apparition by saying \u201cGod was in this place and I, \u00a0I did not know it\u201d and \u201chow fearful (nora<\/em>) is this place\" (28:16-17) the same word we use in Hebrew for the High Holydays, yamim nora'im<\/em>. Prepared or not, willing or not, awake or asleep or suspended in a state that is neither one nor the other, Jacob experiences divine revelation.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

This sense of connection to the divine and the protection and comfort it enables continues as this portion is the only one in the Torah to be bookended by the appearance of angels (28:12 and 32:2). Despite the difficulties he has encountered being exiled from home before the parasha opens, and dealing with the conniving ways of his father-in-law Laban throughout these chapters until he finally makes his escape, Jacob has a firm understanding that he is under angelic and divine protection.<\/p>\r\n

Those of us who have encountered difficult situations that we could not have imagined or did not plan on (pretty much all of us at one time or another) need to be like Jacob and find comfort in our encounters with the world, the Place, and the angels who can be at work in it. Even when we don\u2019t know it, or don\u2019t understand it as Jacob does not immediately, somehow God is in this Place. Or the Place is God.<\/p>\r\n

We don\u2019t understand but neither does Jacob.\u00a0 Yet he still prays and encounters both angels and humans.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Beth Kissileff is married to Rabbi Jonathan Perlman of New Light Synagogue in Pittsburgh.\u00a0 Visit her online at\u00a0www.bethkissileff.com<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":102502,"alt":"","title":"-621ceb3194105--621ceb3194107gen18-angel 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Vayetzei 5779","tile_main_caption":"Jacob Finds Comfort Outside His Comfort Zone","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"Making connections in a story bookended by angels ","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":102502,"alt":"","title":"-621ceb3194105--621ceb3194107gen18-angel 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the \"I\" Is Silent ","post_title":"When the \"I\" Is Silent","slug":"when-the-i-is-silent","old_id":"44000","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42813,"post_title":"Covenant & Conversation","slug":"covenant-conversation","old_id":"42813","first_name":"","last_name":"Covenant & Conversation","description":"Covenant & Conversation: Family Edition is a new and exciting initiative from The Office of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Written as an accompaniment to Rabbi Sacks\u2019 weekly Covenant & Conversation essay, the Family Edition is aimed at connecting older children and teenagers with his ideas and thoughts on the parsha. Each element of the Family Edition is progressively more advanced; The Core Idea is appropriate for all ages and the final element, From The Thought of Rabbi Sacks, is the most advanced section. Each section includes Questions to Ponder, aimed at encouraging discussion between family members in a way most appropriate to them. We have also included a section called Around the Shabbat Table with a few further questions on the parsha to think about. The final section is an Educational Companion which includes suggested talking points in response to the questions found throughout the Family Edition.","short_description":"Covenant & Conversation: Family Edition is a new and exciting initiative from The Office of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":42814,"alt":"","title":"CCfamilylogo-693x457","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","width":693,"height":457,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457-300x198.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":198,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","medium_large-width":693,"medium_large-height":457,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","large-width":693,"large-height":457,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","1536x1536-width":693,"1536x1536-height":457,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","2048x2048-width":693,"2048x2048-height":457,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457.jpg","post_full_size-width":693,"post_full_size-height":457,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/CCfamilylogo-693x457-637x420.jpg","home_baner-width":637,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"31","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

Family study materials on Parashat Vayetse from \"Covenant and Conversation\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":42816,"alt":"","title":"covenant and conversation - Sacks","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks.jpg","width":723,"height":426,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks-300x177.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":177,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks.jpg","medium_large-width":723,"medium_large-height":426,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks.jpg","large-width":723,"large-height":426,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks.jpg","1536x1536-width":723,"1536x1536-height":426,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks.jpg","2048x2048-width":723,"2048x2048-height":426,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks.jpg","post_full_size-width":723,"post_full_size-height":426,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/covenant-and-conversation-Sacks-713x420.jpg","home_baner-width":713,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Family Study Materials","tile_main_caption":"When the \"I\" Is Silent","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"for Parashat Vayetse","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42816,"alt":"","title":"covenant and conversation - 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Shabbat With a Schmear: Vayetze- Complexities of Sisterhood<\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/uwxYSPo1Hn8","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Shabbat With a Schmear","tile_main_caption":"Vayetze - Complexities of Sisterhood","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Adam Mintz with Meredith Berkman (ShabbatMom)","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/uwxYSPo1Hn8","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"29","chapter_main_number":"29","date":"20251008","wall_id":"29"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"368","name":"Parasha","old_id":"768"},{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":6,"id":"43760","color":"#f7f7f5","size":"1","name":"Tabernacle: A Microcosm of Redemption ","post_title":"Tabernacle: A Microcosm of Redemption","slug":"tabernacle-a-microcosm-of-redemption","old_id":"43760","type":"no","iframe":"","related_cahpter":"87","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

This chapter is one in a series that outlines the creation of the <\/span>mishkan<\/span><\/i>, the portable shrine that the Israelites carried with them as they wandered through the desert. Its furnishings are described in fine detail; the attention paid to their craftsmanship is appropriate, given their sacred purpose. Yet this acute focus also points us to a broader truth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Torah asserts that humankind is formed in the divine image. This bold statement is reflected in our generative potential: we have the ability to create, to make things that never existed prior to this moment. Like God (or the Big Bang) we can fashion entire worlds of our own imagination \u2013 be they life-giving or destructive. The <\/span>mishkan <\/span><\/i>was a microcosm of redemption, a place of beauty where people could stand face-to-face with the divine.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

At the center of this shrine is the ark, fashioned out of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Crowning the ark are two cherubim, angelic figures with \u201ctheir wings spread\u2026 facing one another\u201d (37:9). It was from this space that God spoke to the people \u2013 and it is within this space that we are also able to encounter the transcendent. Each of us carries a unique facet of the divine image, a creative energy that only we possess. Unfortunately, we live in a world that obscures this reflection, one that emphasizes what we lack rather than what we are able to offer. We are taught to hide behind carefully manufactured facades, online and in person.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yet only by standing in the presence of another person \u2013 unguarded and unedited \u2013 are we able to catch a glimpse of the divine image, because our generative potential flows from our whole selves. By asking ourselves what facet of the divine is reflected in the other, we are reminded of our own inherent dignity and inalienable worth. And like the point between the two cherubim, it is from this space of mutuality and appreciation that more holiness is brought into the world.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Tabernacle: A Microcosm of Redemption","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"From the place of mutuality and appreciation more holiness is brought into the world","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"87","date":"20251229","wall_id":"87"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"1","name":"\u05d4\u05d0\u05d7\u05e8","old_id":"214"}]},{"order":7,"id":"44029","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Exodus Infographic: In Every Generation ","post_title":"Exodus Infographic: In Every Generation","slug":"exodus-infographic-in-every-generation","old_id":"44029","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1018","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

Every house needs a porch, and every story needs a hero. Undoubtedly, the hero of Exodus \u2013 even without counting the number of his appearances in the book \u2013 is Moses. It is his book. The name of this prophet of prophets is mentioned 290 times, no less, over the course of the book.<\/p>\r\n

Yes \u2013 but who will get the award for best supporting actor? There is a neck-and-neck race for the runner up, that ends up being a photo finish. Aaron, the brother by his side, is named 116 times, only one time more than the perfect villain of the book: Pharaoh, with 115 mentions. If you wish, one more small, symbolic victory for the good guys. There are other characters in the story, of course, but they can't touch the accomplishments of those three, whoar ethe ones who run the entire show. On the other hand, \"'Am Yisrael,\" the people of Israel,\" appear 180 times.<\/p>\r\n

And what about objects or things, you will ask? The Nile stands out, appearing 27 times, but disappears after the Exodus. After that, it is Moses' staff, with 14 appearances, some of which split the Sea of Reeds and accompany the people on the long road to Canaan.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

By: Ariel Schnabel<\/p>\r\n

Infographic by: Roni Levit<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":44027,"alt":"","title":"Ex-end-every 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Moses our Teacher apparently was the most documented man in the entire Torah. The Tanakh accompanies him and tells his tale, from the time he was a babe in a cradle \u2013 in his case, a little red basket that floated on the Nile \u2013 until his death across the Jordan River, just before the Israelites enter the Land of Canaan.<\/p>\r\n

If you like, Moses is the only star in this very first season of the show. We know almost every detail of his personal life, including family squabbles, and everything is on the table. His weaknesses (stuttering, hesitancy) which seemingly contradict his image as the greatest leader the Jewish people has ever known, just serve to intensify the mystery surrounding him, and our desire to know everything about him.<\/p>\r\n

Is Moses the first reality star? Apparently not. Because as opposed to a typical reality TV show contestant, Moses simply doesn't want to be in the limelight. He doesn't want people to talk about him around the table, he doesn't want his image splashed across giant billboards. As opposed to those \"celebrities,\" Moses does everything to blend in, to run away, anything to not be the subject of a cover story in the weekend supplement.<\/p>\r\n

Whoever chases after 15 minutes of fame, might get them, but apparently not a second more. Whoever runs away from them, might just end up becoming a leader.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

By: Ariel Schnabel<\/p>\r\n

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Rabbi Sacks passed away on 7th November 2020, aged 72. He was one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century, who bridged the religious and secular world through his ground-breaking canon of work.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"short_description":"Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z\"k (1948-2020) was the former Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, and the International 929 president.","link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36222,"alt":"","title":"JSacks","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","width":437,"height":548,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-239x300.jpg","medium-width":239,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-768x448.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":448,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-1024x597.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":597,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","1536x1536-width":437,"1536x1536-height":548,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","2048x2048-width":437,"2048x2048-height":548,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","post_full_size-width":437,"post_full_size-height":548,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-335x420.jpg","home_baner-width":335,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"87","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"We develop virtue, strength of character, and a commitment to the common good in community","post_main_content_content":"

What Moses had to do after the golden calf was Vayakhel [convene, gather together]: turn the Israelites into a kehillah, a community. He did this in the obvious sense of restoring order. When Moses came down the mountain and saw the calf, the Torah says the people were peruah, meaning \u201cwild, disorderly, chaotic, unruly, tumultuous.\u201d He \u201csaw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies.\u201d They were not a community but a crowd.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He did it in a more fundamental sense as we see in the rest of the parsha. He began by reminding the people of the laws of Shabbat. Then he instructed them to build the mishkan, the sanctuary, as a symbolic home for God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Why these two commands rather than any others? Because Shabbat and the mishkan are the two most powerful ways of building community. The best way of turning a diverse, disconnected group into a team is to get them to build something together. Hence the mishkan. The best way of strengthening relationships is to set aside dedicated time when we focus not on the pursuit of individual self interest but on the things we share, by praying together, studying Torah together, and celebrating together: in other words, Shabbat. Shabbat and the mishkan were the two great community-building experiences of the Israelites in the desert.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Vayakhel is thus no ordinary episode in the history of Israel. It marks the essential insight to emerge from the crisis of the golden calf. We find God in community. We develop virtue, strength of character, and a commitment to the common good in community. Community is local. It is society with a human face. It is not government. It is not the people we pay to look after the welfare of others. It is the work we do ourselves, together.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Community is the antidote to individualism on the one hand and over-reliance on the state on the other. Darwin understood its importance to human flourishing. Tocqueville saw its role in protecting democratic freedom. Robert Putnam has documented its value in sustaining social capital and the common good. And it began in our parsha, when Moses turned an unruly mob into a kehillah, a community.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From <\/span>The Spirit of Community, Covenant & Conversation, Vayakhel <\/span><\/i>(5775)<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":64016,"alt":"","title":"2kings12-team","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team.png","width":1280,"height":961,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-300x225.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-768x577.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":577,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-1024x769.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":769,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":961,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":961,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-1200x901.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":901,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-559x420.png","home_baner-width":559,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"From Crowd to Community","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"We develop virtue, strength of character, and a commitment to the common good in community","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":64016,"alt":"","title":"2kings12-team","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team.png","width":1280,"height":961,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-300x225.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-768x577.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":577,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-1024x769.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":769,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":961,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":961,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-1200x901.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":901,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2kings12-team-559x420.png","home_baner-width":559,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"87","date":"20251229","wall_id":"87"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"354","name":"Rabbi Sacks","old_id":"754"},{"term_id":"426","name":"Community","old_id":"826"}]},{"order":10,"id":"44005","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Mirror, Mirror ","post_title":"Mirror, Mirror","slug":"mirror-mirror","old_id":"44005","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38047,"post_title":"Shoshana Michael Zucker","slug":"shoshana-michael-zucker","old_id":"38047","first_name":"Shoshana Michael ","last_name":"Zucker ","description":"Shoshana Michael Zucker is a translator and editor by profession, but would much rather be learning and teaching Torah. A graduate of Barnard College, she made aliyah in 1983 and now lives in Kfar Saba where she is an active member of the Masorti Congregation Hod veHadar. ","short_description":"Shoshana Michael Zucker is a translator and editor and lives in Kfar Saba \r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38048,"alt":"","title":"Shoshana Michael Zucker","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","width":231,"height":310,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker-224x300.jpg","medium-width":224,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","medium_large-width":231,"medium_large-height":310,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","large-width":231,"large-height":310,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","1536x1536-width":231,"1536x1536-height":310,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","2048x2048-width":231,"2048x2048-height":310,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","post_full_size-width":231,"post_full_size-height":310,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","home_baner-width":231,"home_baner-height":310}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1018","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

\u201cHe made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the women who crowded at the door.\u201d (Exodus 38:8)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Throughout the detailed accounting of the materials donated to construction of the Tabernacle and the use made of them, this is the only instance when the particular people who donated the materials is specified. Why are these women singled out?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rashi (France, 1040-1105) based on Midrash Tanchuma (Pekudei 9) explains that when the women first attempted to donate their mirrors (bronze mirrors were common in ancient times) for construction of the Tabernacle, Moses was inclined to reject the offer, because mirrors are used primarily to enhance vain, external appearances. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, the Holy Blessed One disagreed, and instructed Moses to accept the mirrors: \u201cThey are dearer to Me than all the other contributions, because through them the women reared huge hosts in Egypt!\u201d He goes on to explain that when the Israelite men in Egypt were tired through the crushing labor, the women would bring them food and drink at their workplaces and induced them to eat. Then they would take the mirrors, admire themselves, and tease their husbands, until their husbands were romantically aroused. As a result, many children were conceived and born.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Many readings of this midrash focus on the women\u2019s role in building the nation: remaining hopeful, encouraging others and guaranteeing continuity. Those points are valid and important, but there is more. God affirms the value of mundane activities and the objects used for them. They are an essential part not only of building the community but also of serving God. Proverbs (3:6) will state explicitly that we are to know God in all our ways. Exodus teaches by example. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Mirror, Mirror ","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The women\u2019s role in remaining hopeful, encouraging others and guaranteeing continuity ","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1018"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":11,"id":"44033","color":"#faeed8","size":"1","name":"Exodus Infographic: Signs and Wonders ","post_title":"Exodus Infographic: Signs and Wonders","slug":"exodus-infographic-signs-and-wonders","old_id":"44033","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1018","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

For the Miracles<\/p>\r\n

\"Watch: She fell in her car 25 feet with only minor bruises\u2026\"<\/p>\r\n

The miracles that we've become used to, or that we've been forced to watch on the news sites starving for our clicks, are little, local miracles: somebody was saved, or managed to survive. A group of people succeeded in having a conversation for ten straight minutes, without anybody looking at their phone.<\/p>\r\n

The miracles of the generation of the desert, though, were something else altogether. They were filled with fireworks. Now the sea was splitting, now water spurting out of a rock, slaking the thirst of 60 myriads. Suddenly something fell from the skies, who's taste was out of this world, while squadrons of quail landed (perhaps already roasted like at the supermarket) exactly at the right spot, day after day. And that's not even mentioning the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire that accompanied the people for forty long years. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

On the face of things, we have what to be jealous about. Those Israelites got up in the morning and felt God's miracles every waking moment. What's more awesome than that? But if we pause for a moment, we'll realize that all these miracles were actually immediate responses to some existential crisis of the people. Without splitting the Sea of Reeds, the Egyptians would have slaughtered them; without the pillars of fire and cloud, the Israelis wouldn't have been able to find their in even 400 years; with no manna and quail, they would've starved to death; and the water from the rock saved the people from death by thirst.<\/p>\r\n

So do we really want to see miracles like that?<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

By: Ariel Schnabel<\/p>\r\n

Infographic by: Roni Levit<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":44028,"alt":"","title":"Ex-endSigns and 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Exodus Inforgraphic","tile_main_caption":"Signs and Wonders","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"... and thanks for all the miracles!","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":44028,"alt":"","title":"Ex-endSigns and 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Infographic: The Book of Laws ","post_title":"Exodus Infographic: The Book of 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In the by-laws of the cities of Haifa and Hertzliya, there is a provision that prohibits bringing bears to the beach. A researcher who will find the law code in a dig 1500 years from now, will draw some fairly amusing conclusions as to the animal populations in these lovely beachfront towns of the 2000s. And as far as we're concerned, they'd be right, since law books are a first-rate source to find out about people and their doings in a given society.<\/p>\r\n

We'll answer the bear question directly, but first let's learn something about the desert generation and what occupied them, from the laws which Moses gave them in the desert. So who and what are in the municipal by-laws of the book of Exodus? 19 men, 8 women (one pregnant), 8 male and female, 7 slaves and one slave-girl, 6 resident aliens,\u00a0 and one orphan, widow and virgin each, and also \u2013 a witch who must be burnt, and right away. The animal kingdom in Exodus supplies no less than 21 oxen, 5 donkeys, and two sheep.<\/p>\r\n

In other words, the probability of an accident between a man and an ox was then several times higher than between an orphan and a donkey. You'll admit that there is some comfort in that.<\/p>\r\n

And the bears? It seems that in the 1950s, dubious entertainers would torture little bears and make them dance on the beach for a few coins. A type of show that is no longer with us, and good riddance too.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

By: Ariel Schnabel<\/p>\r\n

Infographic by: Roni Levit<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":44052,"alt":"","title":"ex-end-book of laws-01","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01.jpg","width":627,"height":1654,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-114x300.jpg","medium-width":114,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-388x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":388,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-388x1024.jpg","large-width":388,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01.jpg","1536x1536-width":582,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01.jpg","2048x2048-width":627,"2048x2048-height":1654,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-455x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":455,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-159x420.jpg","home_baner-width":159,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"929 Exodus Inforgraphic","tile_main_caption":"The Book of Laws","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Just what exactly are in the municipal by-laws of Exodus?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":44052,"alt":"","title":"ex-end-book of laws-01","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01.jpg","width":627,"height":1654,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-114x300.jpg","medium-width":114,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-388x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":388,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-388x1024.jpg","large-width":388,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01.jpg","1536x1536-width":582,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01.jpg","2048x2048-width":627,"2048x2048-height":1654,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-455x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":455,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-book-of-laws-01-159x420.jpg","home_baner-width":159,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1018"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":13,"id":"43977","color":"#e8ecf6","size":"1","name":"An Unhappy Ending ","post_title":"An Unhappy Ending?","slug":"an-unhappy-ending","old_id":"43977","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33859,"post_title":"Avidan Freedman","slug":"avidan-freedman","old_id":"33859","first_name":"Avidan","last_name":"Freedman","description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. He is an activist advocating for moral limits on Israeli arms exports, and on behalf of African refugees, and a proud husband and father of 5. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, and from the Israeli chief rabbinate.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. ","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33860,"alt":"Avidan Freedman","title":"Avidan Freedman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","width":856,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-251x300.jpg","medium-width":251,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-768x919.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":919,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-856x1024.jpg","large-width":856,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","1536x1536-width":856,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","2048x2048-width":856,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-800x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-351x420.jpg","home_baner-width":351,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"90","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Leaving some space between the Books","post_main_content_content":"

We've travelled the book of Exodus for 40 chapters, growing from a nation of slaves, performing meaningless, menial labor for others, into a nation reaching the pinnacle of human creativity, each member of the nation freely choosing to dedicate the best they have to create a place to encounter God on earth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

One is tempted to feel that we've worked so hard and come so far, we <\/span>deserve<\/b> a happy ending, the realization of full spiritual redemption in the intimate encounter between God and the people.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And it is precisely that dangerous sense of entitlement that the very subtle closing crisis of the book of Exodus comes to combat.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

God's glory fills the Mishkan, true, but it does so in a way that leaves Moses no space to enter. The goal of God's voice speaking to people from between the cherubs is left unrealized. That is, at least, until the opening word of the book of Vayikra - Leviticus.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What happens in the space between? Rashi on the first verse of Vayikra explains that the gaps in the Torah text allow space for reflection. In the frustrating moment between books, a crucial lesson is taught. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

The service of God isn't about bending God to our will, and to our needs. It begins with the humble recognition that the distance between us and God is truly infinite, as Da Vinci embodied so memorably on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It is only the grace of the infinite God, God's call to us- \"<\/span>Vayikra\"<\/span><\/i>, that can bridge that. And that call can be heard only when we are willing to shrink our egos, to leave any sense of entitlement aside, and to make our '<\/span>aleph<\/span><\/i>' small. It is only then that we will be ready to use this Mishkan we have built, and to understand the lessons of the sacrificial service.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":61519,"alt":"","title":"1kings2-the end","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end.png","width":3600,"height":1736,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-300x145.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":145,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-768x370.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":370,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-1024x494.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":494,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":741,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end.png","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":988,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-1200x579.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":579,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-871x420.png","home_baner-width":871,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"An Unhappy Ending?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Leaving some space between the Books","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":61519,"alt":"","title":"1kings2-the end","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end.png","width":3600,"height":1736,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-300x145.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":145,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-768x370.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":370,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-1024x494.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":494,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":741,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end.png","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":988,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-1200x579.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":579,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings2-the-end-871x420.png","home_baner-width":871,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":"40","chapter_main_number":"90","date":"20260101","wall_id":"90"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"370","name":"Divine\/human","old_id":"770"}]},{"order":14,"id":"44043","color":"#f6f5de","size":"1","name":"Exodus Infographic: Exodus in Numbers - 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Out of 40 chapters in the book of Exodus, 25 \u2013 a clear majority \u2013 take place in the desert. But if the desert usually calls up images of emptiness, wasteland and boredom, the desert of the book of Exodus is exactly the opposite. What doesn't happen there? Journeys and seductions, thunder and lightning, crimes and punishments, a golden calf and some broken tablets, dolphin skins and acacia trees.<\/p>\r\n

But here too we can learn a lesson from the Book. After 12 desert chapters, which seem to come from a suspense and action genre, where there isn't a dull moment, and the People of Israel is always in some tense bind, either with each other, or with their Maker, or mainly with their flesh-and-blood leader, Moses our Teacher, suddenly the tension drops, and we enter the daily grind of a construction overseer. 14 long chapters \u2013 more than half of the chapters devoted to the time in the desert \u2013 deal almost entirely with the technicalities of the very detailed instructions of the building of the Tabernacle (mishkan) down to the very construction process.<\/p>\r\n

Perhaps the Torah here is trying to tell us something about ourselves and our lives: there's a place for storms, for fights, for wandering and for journeys. But there comes a point where you have to stop, grow up, and start planning how the four walls are going to look, where you'll put the dolphin skins, and when will you finally get to Ikea to buy those bath mats that your mother likes so much.<\/p>\r\n

By: Ariel Schnabel<\/p>\r\n

Infographic by: Roni Levit<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":44048,"alt":"","title":"ex-end-freedom-01","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01.jpg","width":1299,"height":1299,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-1024x1024.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01.jpg","1536x1536-width":1299,"1536x1536-height":1299,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01.jpg","2048x2048-width":1299,"2048x2048-height":1299,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-1200x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"929 Exodus Inforgraphic","tile_main_caption":"Exodus in Numbers - Freedom","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"25 chapters in the desert...","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":44048,"alt":"","title":"ex-end-freedom-01","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01.jpg","width":1299,"height":1299,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-1024x1024.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01.jpg","1536x1536-width":1299,"1536x1536-height":1299,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01.jpg","2048x2048-width":1299,"2048x2048-height":1299,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-1200x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ex-end-freedom-01-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1018"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":15,"id":"44041","color":"#e0e9ef","size":"1","name":"Exodus Infographic: Exodus in Numbers - Slavery ","post_title":"Exodus Infographic: Exodus in Numbers - Slavery","slug":"exodus-infographic-exodus-in-numbers-slavery","old_id":"44041","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1018","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

The Greek translators of the Septuagint apparently were none too happy with the rather tepid name of the second book of the Torah. \"Shemot\" (literally: \"names\") just wasn't enough of a teaser for them, or sexy enough for the average Greek reader. So they decided to change the name to \"Exodus,\" which hints a little more successfully at the drama within.<\/p>\r\n

Greeks knew a thing or two about drama, as we know from the plays that Aristophanes among others left behind. But the Jewish Torah stubbornly stuck with Shemot. As if to say to all of us, whoa there, slow down, friends. There's a time and a place for everything.\u00a0 First let's see what's what and who's who, with all the names, and then we can exit with great wealth.<\/p>\r\n

And so, no less than eleven opening chapters are taken up with the lives of the Israelites in Egypt, in great detail, two full chapters devoted to the preparations to the great leaving, and then just two chapters to the Exodus itself.<\/p>\r\n

Translators, be careful in your translations, and that goes both for Greeks translating the Torah, and those who are the sort that uploads in a half hour a translation of the new episode of \"Game of Thrones.\"<\/p>\r\n

By: Ariel Schnabel<\/p>\r\n

Infographic by: Roni Levit<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":44050,"alt":"","title":"Ex-end-Slavery-01","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01.jpg","width":1299,"height":1299,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-1024x1024.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01.jpg","1536x1536-width":1299,"1536x1536-height":1299,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01.jpg","2048x2048-width":1299,"2048x2048-height":1299,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-1200x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"929 Exodus Inforgraphic","tile_main_caption":"Exodus in Numbers - Slavery","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"15 chapters in slavery, and getting free","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":44050,"alt":"","title":"Ex-end-Slavery-01","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01.jpg","width":1299,"height":1299,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-1024x1024.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01.jpg","1536x1536-width":1299,"1536x1536-height":1299,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01.jpg","2048x2048-width":1299,"2048x2048-height":1299,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-1200x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex-end-Slavery-01-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1018"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":16,"id":"44008","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"The Realizations of Divine Plans ","post_title":"The Realizations of Divine Plans","slug":"the-realizations-of-divine-plans-2","old_id":"44008","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":37918,"post_title":"Shai Held","slug":"shai-held","old_id":"37918","first_name":" Shai ","last_name":"Held","description":"Rabbi Shai Held, theologian, scholar, and educator, is President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at Hadar, where he also directs the Center for Jewish Leadership and Ideas. A 2011 recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award for excellence in Jewish education, Rabbi Held has been named multiple times to Newsweek\u2019s list of the 50 most influential rabbis in America. He holds a doctorate in religion from Harvard; Rabbi Held's first book, Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence, was published by Indiana University Press in 2013; The Heart of Torah, a collection of essays on the Torah in two volumes, was published by JPS in 2017.","short_description":"Rabbi Shai Held is President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at Hadar,","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":37919,"alt":"","title":"shai held","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","width":150,"height":186,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","medium-width":150,"medium-height":186,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","medium_large-width":150,"medium_large-height":186,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","large-width":150,"large-height":186,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","1536x1536-width":150,"1536x1536-height":186,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","2048x2048-width":150,"2048x2048-height":186,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","post_full_size-width":150,"post_full_size-height":186,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shai-held.jpg","home_baner-width":150,"home_baner-height":186}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1018","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

After reporting on all that had been done in erecting the <\/span>mishkan <\/span><\/i>(tabernacle), the Torah declares: \u201cAnd Moses saw (<\/span>vayar<\/span><\/i>) all the tasks (<\/span>kol ha-melakhah<\/span><\/i>), and behold (<\/span>ve-hinei<\/span><\/i>), they had done it (<\/span>asu<\/span><\/i>)\u2014as the Lord had commanded, so had they done\u2014and Moses blessed them\u201d (Exodus 39:43). To the attentive reader, the links to the creation story are unmistakable: \u201cAnd God saw (<\/span>vayar<\/span><\/i>) all (<\/span>kol<\/span><\/i>) that God had done (<\/span>asah<\/span><\/i>), and, behold, (<\/span>ve-hinei<\/span><\/i>) it was very good (Genesis 1:31). In the one case, God looks and sees, while in the other Moses does; in both cases, everything has been completed just as God wants. There seems to be a deep connection between God\u2019s creation of the world on the one hand, and the Israelites\u2019 construction of the <\/span>mishkan <\/span><\/i>on the other. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

On one level, the implication of the coupling of the construction of the <\/span>mishkan <\/span><\/i>and the creation of the world is that the <\/span>mishkan <\/span><\/i>is intended to serve as a microcosm, a world in miniature. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

To understand what this means, we ought to consider one more literary link between the two stories: The final chapter of Exodus contains seven instances of the expression \u201cjust as the Lord had commanded Moses\u201d (Exodus 40:19,21,23,25,27,29,32), which serves a similar function to the sevenfold repetition of the phrase \u201cAnd God saw that is was good\u201d in Genesis (Genesis 1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31). Bible scholar Jon Levenson draws out the relationship between the two repeating formulas: \u201cThe theological substance of the two similar refrains is a pointed insistence upon the correspondence of the object constructed with the intentions of God. The [<\/span>mishkan<\/span><\/i>] and the world both result from the perfect realization of divine commandments, and nothing that God has commanded falls short of his expectations.\u201d The <\/span>mishkan<\/span><\/i>, like the world, is a perfect realization of God\u2019s plans.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Except that in reality\u2014and according to the Torah itself\u2014the world as we find it falls far short of God\u2019s hopes and expectations. In a world overrun by chaos, the <\/span>mishkan<\/span><\/i> is intended to serve as one place in which everything unfolds according to the divine plan\u2014\u201cjust as the Lord had commanded Moses.\u201d Amidst all the world\u2019s brokenness, then, there is to be one place, at least, in which God really is present. It is as if God says to Moses and the Israelites: I made you a place to live, now you make one for Me. <\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Connections: Tabernacle and Creation","tile_main_caption":"The Realizations of Divine Plans","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"I made you a place to live, now you make one for Me","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1018"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/43987"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}