Torah Portion

University of Michigan HMOs
24th Annual Conference on the Holocaust
presents...

"THE POWER OF GOOD - NICHOLAS WINTON'
Followed by "Remembering for the Future" with
world-renowned historian Dr. Elisabeth Maxwell

The Spirit Of The Tabernacle
Nourishes The Jewish People

aware of His love and concern through
the symbol of His sanctuary.
If, indeed, God relates to our world
and to us, then even the destruction of
the symbol of the relationship does not
destroy the relatiOnship itself Thus, the
Talmud (Megila 29A) quotes the verses
he theme of this week's
from Ezekiel 11: 16: "Thus says the •
Torah portion is the corn-
Lord, God, although I have cast them
pletion of the construction
far off among the nations and although
and the erection of the
I have scattered them among the lands,
Tabernacle. This is the culmination of
yet I will be to them as a little sanctuary
four Torah portions and, in fact, the
in the lands where they have come."
entire last third of Exodus.
And Rabbi Yitzchok says
The commandment to
this refers to the synagogues
build and the description of
and study halls of the Jewish
the Tabernacle begin with par-
exile in Babylonia.
shat T'ruma (Exodus 25), but
God's presence, Godliness
it is possible that the verses at
in this world, is possible and a
the very end of parshat Yitro
relationship with the Divine
(Exodus 20: 19-23) introduce
can be cultivated in the syna-
the entire subject.
gogue through prayer, in the
The Jewish people have just
study hall through the learn-
experienced the revelation at
ing of God's Torah and in our
Sinai and request that Moses
RABBI
lives by living in accordance
be their intermediary. This is
ELIEZER
with "God's law."
followed by verses discussing
COHEN
God's presence and a rela-
the construction of images and
Special to the
tionship with Him can be felt
the altar with the phrase
Jewish News
through prayer. Certainly one
(Exodus 20:21): "Wherever I
can also commune with God
mention My name I will come
intellectually by studying his Torah, His
and bless you." The Tabernacle serves as
revelation to mankind. But the ultimate
the symbol of God's presence manifest-
mode of creating a relationship with the
ing Itself at Sinai, but also continuing to
Divine is to live the Torah in our every-
accompany the Jewish people wherever
day lives, as the Talmud (Brochot 8A)
they travel.
says: "Rav Chisda said what does it
The Tabernacle becomes the
mean (Psalms 67): `God.loves the gates
metaphor for God's presence in this
of Zion more than any of the dwellings
world and the possibility for mankind
of Jacob'? This means God loves the
to have a relationship with the Divine.
gates abounding with Jewish law more
Thus, the Torah (Exodus 25-8) exhorts
than the synagogues or study halls.
Israel to "make Me a sanctuary that I
As Rabbi Chiya bar Amni said in the
may dwell within your midst." When
name of Rabbi Ulla: 'From the day the
the Jews leave Sinai, no vestige of sancti- s
Temple was destroyed, God has no
ty or special importance remains there
place in this world but the four cubits
— the symbol of God's presence and
of Jewish law alone." ❑
the resulting sanctity travels with them,
ultimately to reside in the Temple in
Jerusalem.
Of course, God cannot be confined
geographically. Solomon, when praying
Do we really need such a symbol
at the dedication of the Temple he has
of God's presence? Why? What
built, says (I Kings 8:27): "But will God
seems to be a better way to com-
indeed dwell on Earth? Behold the
mune with the Divine, prayer or
heavens and the heaven of heavens can-
study? Why? Why does Ulla say
not contain You; how much less this
that God can only be found
building that I have built?"
through the implementation of
But God allows and enables us to be
Jewish law? How can we better

Shabbat Pekude: Exodus
38:21-40:38;
I Kings 7:51-8:21.

T

Monday, March 10th —7:30 PM Michigan Theater
Students: free, Community: $8, tickets available at the door

In 1939, Sir Nicholas Winton personally, and by his own initiative, saved the lives of
669 children, most of them Jewish, from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and brought
them across Hitler's Germany to his native Britain. For nearly 50 years he kept secret
how he rescued these children, but now he is often called "Britain's Schindler."
Unlike Schindler and Wallenberg, Winton is today still alive and well at 93, and still
diffident about why he kept his secret for so long. He is an immensely compelling •
symbol of how the caring of one man can truly make a difference and truly demon-
strate "The Power of Good." .
*Winner of the 2002 International Emmy Documentary Award*

Made possible, in part, by the generous support of the
Gelman Educational Foundation

Reading and Book Signing

With Author of Hiding Places
Daniel Asa Rose

Saturday, March 15, 2003 — 8:00 PM
Shaman Drum

"Remnants"
A Play by Henry Greenspan

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 — 8:00 PM
East Quad Aud. — Admission Free

AN EVENING WITH DAN RAVIV

Wednesday, March 19, 2003
7:30 PM Rackham Aud.
Admission Free

For more information
contact us at
(734) 769-0500 or
bberger@umich.edu

How did the world's news media report — or ignore —
the mass murder of six million Jews and other victims
of Nazi Germany? With more speed, and a greater
ability to report news immediately, do the media have
the courage and sensitivity to sound the alarm when
horrible abuses of human rights are taking place to-
day? Dan Raviv thinks the answer is. yes.

After twenty years as a foreign correspondent for CBS
News on radio and television, Raviv is now the Wash-
ington-based CBS national correspondent, as well as a
best-selling author.

Conversations

Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of Congregation
Or Chadash.

relate to the Divine in our own
prayer, study and behavior?

6450 Farmington Road #103 • West Bloomfield, MI 48322

(MV corner of Maple and Farmington roads)

PH: 248-661-0800

Oki

FAX: 248-661-0900

693690

3/ 7
2003

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