Friends of Jewish Renewal in Poland
Picture this: We are finishing reading the Book of Exodus. The Israelites are finally building the Mishkan—the fancy portable synagogue-on-wheels where God’s presence is going to crash on their couch. And because this week is Shabbat HaChodesh, we also get that bonus maftir: “This month shall be for you the beginning of months.” God basically hits the reset button on the calendar and says, “Nissan is now Month One. Pesach prep starts… now!”[…]
In Parashat Ki Tisa, we encounter one of the Torah’s most dramatic moments: the sin of the Golden Calf. The people, waiting for Moses on Mount Sinai, grow anxious and impatient. They turn to Aaron and say, “Make us a god who shall go before us” (Exodus 32:1). Aaron collects their gold, fashions the calf, and the people declare, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” (32:4). Chaos ensues—idolatry, revelry, divine anger, Moses’ fury breaking the tablets.[…]
Parashat Tetzaveh opens with the words “Ve’atah tetzaveh” — “And you shall command.” The language is direct and unambiguous. The priestly service, the lighting of the menorah, the daily offerings — these are not suggestions, invitations or recommendations. These are obligations.[…]
This week’s parasha, Terumah, opens with one of the Torah’s most famous lines about sacred space:
וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם
(V’asu li mikdash v’shachanti b’tocham)
“Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)
