Torah Portion

,

The Beauty Of The Mishkan
Is The Art of Daily Life

• The ark was covered inside and
out with gold. Why inside when it
would not be seen? Instead of gold,
think actions and intentions. We
should be like the ark with our
inward desires and outward actions
in concert, for our good and that of
mankind.
• Atop the ark were cherubim
poet once wrote, "As the
(Exodus
37:7-10), angels with babies'
sun colors the flowers, so
faces: The guardians of the Torah
does art color life." This,
were children. Today, our "artistic"
then, helps to explain the
contribution comes as we dedicate
exacting detail of the beauty of the
ourselves to the Jewish education of
items with which the mishkan, the
the next generation, ensur-
portable sanctuary, was con-
ing
the continuity of our
structed.
religion.
There is in all Jewish life
• The candlesticks near the
a strong sense of the aes-
table of the ark were of
thetic, a love of beauty.
gold with cups shaped like
Consider the prayers offered
almond
blossoms (Exodus
at the sight of a beautiful
24).
37:19
The lights of
tree or animal or when
our
Sabbath
candles, our
beholding the first blossoms
flickering
chanukiot
of spring. There should not
(Chanuka menorot), even
be any question of the
our
yahrtzeit candles (for
SY
MANELLO
extensive listing of the col-
Editorial Assistant remembrance of the dead)
ored rams' skins used to
are tangible evidence of our
cover the tent of meeting,
understanding of the
the silver sockets used to
importance
of the tradition needed to
hold the boards of the tabernacle or
strengthen
our
sense of community.
the details of the golden ark cover.
We
must
continue
to construct a
And what of the artists, those who
mishkan
in
our
lives
with
the wis-
constructed the beautiful ark?
dom
of
the
good
that
can
be
done.
One of the chief architects of the
The
real
artist
is
he
who
will
shape
mishkan was Betzalel of the tribe of
his
life
into
a
work
of
art
developed
Judah. He is described by Moses as
by what is chosen to be done carry-
filled by God "with the wisdom,
ing
out the commandments of God.
understanding, knowledge of all
Remember
that rather than spec-
manner of workmanship." He was
tacular
accomplishments,
our quiet,
truly an artist.
steady
performance
of
duties
and
This sedra (Torah portion), how-
good
deeds
can
result
in
a
more
ever, asks us to consider that each
beautiful life for all.
person who contributed to the
As we study Torah and learn to
building of the sanctuary was also an
rise
to the challenge of obedience to
artist. Each brought freewill offer-
God's
mitzvot, we become cognizant
ings of ornaments, fine cloth home-
that
the
beauty in life is achieved in
spun to enhance the work "the Lord
day-by-day,
hour-by-hour dedication
commanded by the hand of Moses
to
what
is
right,
good and noble.
to be made." (Exodus 25:29.) The
And
the
greatest
artist is he who
exacting, artistic details we are given
fashions
himself
into
a sanctuary. ❑
of the construction reflects the
thinking of the people as to the join-
ing of the pieces into the whole,
much as an artist sees his project as
it will be when he puts the materials
together.
Cite some examples from your
Today, we are not literally build-
life to demonstrate that wis-
ing a temple, but we are forming a
dom and artistic skills go hand
"portrait of life." It's a work of art
in hand. How can we "make
that we enhance each day by what
everything that God has com-
we choose to do in our lives and
manded" (Exodus 35:10)? What
with our lives through wisdom,
are some of the aspects of
understanding and knowledge. Let
Shabbat that reflect the beauty
us consider some of the aspects of
of the day?
the mishkan and their contemporary
counterparts.

Shabbat Vayakhel:
Exodus 35:1-38:20,
30:11-16;
II Kings 12:1-17.

Temple Emanu-El's
Samuel Hamburger
Scholar-in-Residence

Dr. Peter Pitzele

Peter Pitzele, Ph.D. is a writer, teacher, and adjunct

f a culty member of the Jewish Theological Seminary

and Union Theological Seminary—both in New

York, as well as an institutional therapist, and co-

founder of the Institute for Contemporary Midrash.

He has developed a form of improvisational

theater for the teaching of biblical narrative called

A

Bibliodrama, has written Our Fathers' Wells:

A Personal Encounter with the Myths of Genesis,

published by Harper and now in paperback, and

is the author of Scripture Windows: Towards a

Practice of Bibliodrama, published by Torah Aura.

March 10-12, 2000

Friday Night Shabbat Message - 8:00 p.m.

What is Bibliodrama?

Shabbat Morning Torah Study - 9:30 a.m.

-

Conversations

Building a Pyramid/Building a Tabernacle

Afternoon Presentation and Teacher Training - 2:00 p.m.

Jethro: The Demands of Family and Leadership

Sunday Morning Presentation - 10:00 a.m.

Miriam - When Does Childhood End?

Shabbat Dinner with Dr. Pitzele,
March 10th at 6:00 p.m. • $20.00 per person
Shabbat Luncheon
March 11th at 12:30 p.m. • $15.00 per person
For reservations, call 248 967 4020

-

-

Temple Emanu-El, 14450 Ten Mile Rd., Oak Park, MI

We thank Miriam Hamburger and her family for their generous support of
Temple Emanu-El's Scholar-in-Residence Program, given in memory of Samuel Hamburger.

• 24 Hour Nursing Care

• Alzheimers Care

• Respite Care

• Bed & Board Program

• Hospice & Pain Management

SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Trachs • IV's • Piclines • Stage IV • Wound Care

Insurances include Medicare, Private Insurance, Managed Care
Call Glen A. Lowery, Administrator
or Susan Militello, Admissions Director

248-557-3333

16240 West 12 Mile • Just West of Greenfield • Southfield

3/3
2000

69

