I am not an architect, a mathematician, a carpenter, a smithy, a weaver, or a sculptor who works with molten gold and who can do so like Bezalel, in one continuous act of mastery. Therefore, this parsha challenges and humbles me every single time. Superficially, we learn that It is far better to give than to receive, being dependent on others, even on God, turns us into passive complainers, that we are elevated, dignified, by giving. 

And yet, there is something very strange, even mystical, going on, something that eludes us. God is or manifests in fire—at the burning bush, at Sinai, as a fiery torch leading us through desert nights. How can such a God be reduced to, or tempted by dyed wool, animal skins, embroidery, a single splendid menora? How can we retain the awe and majesty of divine fire by creating an all-too-human, material dwelling place for that which is Uncontainable?

Aviva Gottlieb Zornberg, in The Particulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus has a masterful chapter which explores just such themes. 

But I still have questions! Why does God, who exists everywhere, need a specific place in order to dwell with us? Why does God need two winged chruvim in order to “meet with us?” Speak to us? Are these winged figures angels, cherubs, adults, children— are they gendered? Why are all the many images that I can find of these winged figures so overwhelming, even frightening? And why are they made of gold? According to R. Yossi b.r. Chanina, this is a reminder of and a way to permanently repent for the sin of the golden calf. (Yerushalmi Shekalim 1:1) Yes, we read about that orgy of idol worship later on but many insist that it has already occurred. Are the kruvim cherubs? R. Avahu (Chagigah, 13b) said “keravia”, like “ravia,” which was what an infant was called in Babylonia. It’s all in the Essential Torah Temimah, which is translated into English just for this girl from Borough Park.

Can anyone explain to me why the instructions for building the mishkan are so detailed, so specific, so difficult? Even my Chumash has diagrams for the mightily benighted. Gottlieb Zornberg tells us that God showed Moshe a “model for the Mishkan” made of different colored fires, (red, green, black, white) and because Moshe was still confused, God engraved or imprinted it on Moshe’s palms, so that what exists above can be the model for what we create below.

Shabbat Teruma Shalom!