[JOI Word of Torah] Big Tent Judaism: Pekudei

[Kerry M. Olitzky]

"Big Tent Judaism" Word of Torah

 

March 8, 2008 / 1 Adar II, 5768

 

Pekudei

 

This is the last weekly portion in the book of Exodus. We will soon take a
break from our journey in the middle of the desert in order to deepen our
understanding of the Temple cult and the sacrificial system. While some of
its deeper meaning may be elusive for us moderns, the intention is quite
clear. The system was designed to bring us closer to the Divine and closer
to ourselves. That is why we repeat the phrase "chazak chazak v'nitchazek-be
strong, be strong and may we be strengthened" before we enter the next book
of Torah. Most people think that since it is said at the conclusion of our
reading, it's an ending. I like to think of it as the bridge that allows us
to enter a new book. So the phrase is not used to conclude Exodus. Rather,
it is used to introduce, to begin Leviticus. 

 

As expected, the key to this bridge element is found in the last few verses
of Exodus, Chapter 40 at the conclusion of this parasha: 

"When the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the Israelites would set out, on
their various journeys; but if the cloud did not lift, they would not set
out until such time as it did lift. For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the
Lord rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night, in the view of all
the house of Israel throughout their journeys" (Exodus 40: 37-38). 

 

The cloud lifts and fire lights the way so that all can see. The cloud lifts
and the presence of fire is the way that the Torah communicates to us that
the Israelites had the necessary vision to move forward. The cloud lifts and
the fire helps us to realize what we need to move forward, to make progress
both in the desert and today-the building of a more inclusive Jewish
community. 

 

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Rabbi Kerry Olitzky is the author of many inspiring books that bring the
Jewish wisdom tradition into everyday life, and is, among other books, the
author of Introducing My Faith and My Community: The Jewish Outreach
Institute Guide for the Christian in a Jewish Interfaith Relationship
(Jewish Lights).

 

To subscribe to the free weekly JOI Big Tent Judaism Word of Torah mailing
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You are welcome to use these ideas in your own work and writings as long as
you would be so kind as to credit Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and the Jewish
Outreach Institute, thank you.

 

 

 

 

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