It has been said that as one door closes another one opens. Exodus begins in darkness as the Israelites are enslaved in Egypt and ends in brightness with God's presence made known to His people. The Mishkan is a visible presence of holiness and devotion for the Israelites that gives them purpose and hope despite their wanderings in the desert. They move forward towards the Promised Land as they follow God's essence in the form of a cloud of smoke. And in this movement they have a trusted leader in Moses and priests in Aaron and his two sons to make sacrifices to appeal to God for them. Their Code of Behavior, the Ten Commandments, rests safely in the Ark within the Mishkan, and all is “just as the Lord had commanded him (Moses)” Each item in the Mishkan is first examined by Moses and then blessed by him as he places the items in the Mishkan in descending order of holiness.
It is significant that this is all finished (va-y'khal) on the first day of the first month which happens to be Nissan, the month of Passover, the story of the Israelites' flight from Egypt and their freedom from slavery. This anniversary is linked by scholars to the Creation, when God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh day when he finished (va-ykhullu). The story of Creation is mirrored by this week's parashat, P'kudei, which is translated as “amounts of”.
P'kudei can help us understand that our work is meaningful, it is accounted for, it brings order and purpose to our lives, it has an end point, and it can be a source of hope. While the objects within the Mishkan and the priests' vestments are made of the finest materials they were not meant to be mere works of art. Instead, they were fashioned by Bezalal, a man who was devoted to God and who conveyed that devotion through his works. In this way, art can be seen as a liberation because its beauty touches our souls and elevates us in a spiritual sense. P'kudei sets the scene for devotion to God which has endured from generation to generation.
Shabbat Shalom Sue Gardner
HELPING THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE
These are three organizations that are providing help and support for this emergency in Ukraine:
• UJA Federation Is working with partners in Ukraine to help the 200,000 members of Ukraine’s Jewish community with social services, vital supplies and evacuation. Donations can be made at: ujafedny.org
•. USCJ ( the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism ) is collaborating with Masorti Olami ( the international umbrella organization for Masorti Judaism ) to collect donations for Ukraine. Donations can be made at: masortiolami.org/one-time-donation. Designate the donation for the Ukraine Emergency Campaign.
•. Razom Is providing critical medical supplies for the people of Ukraine. Donations can be made at: razomforukraine.org where more information on this organization can be found.
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, March 4th at 5:30 PM
HAVDALAH Saturday, March 5th at 6:31 PM
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Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism