Unity of
Purpose
When the
Tabernacle is raised up, Yahweh will dwell with us
Shabbat Shalom Kol
Yisrael. It is our pleasure to present this week's Torah Parsha commentary by
Nazarene Yisraelite Rabbi T. (Mordecai) Mitchell, Rabbi and Rosh Zaken of B'nai
Yeshurun Nazarene Yisraelite Synagogue, Kittanning, Pa. And board member of the
Union of Nazarene Yisraelite Congregations. It is our sincere hope and prayer
that these commentaries encourage, inspire, and strengthen the body of Messiah
in Kol Yisrael. This week our Parsha is Pekudei (Accountings of
or
Appointments of) Debarim (Deuteronomy) 38:21 40:38. Our Haftarah
portion is Melakim Aleph (1 Kings) 7:51 8:21. Our suggested Brit
Chadasha reading is: Revelation 15:5 8 Please add Tehillim
(Psalms) 1 and 15.
Before we begin the commentary I wish to thank
each and everyone of you who have been keeping me in their prayers and have sent
me encouraging e-mails. My physical afflictions are lessening, at least a bit.
Although I am under the care of the physicians we must realize that ultimately
our healing comes from Almighty Yahweh. Healing is not always immediate, and
perhaps in some cases, Yahweh does not will healing. We must trust Him at all
times and in all things. Nevertheless, I have the faith that a complete healing
will come for me in Yahweh's own good time. I also ask you to keep Rebitzen
JoAnne in your prayers as well. Lets us rejoice and praise Yahweh at all times
and in and for all things. Thank you all again for your prayers, kind thoughts
and well wishes. We love you and we know you love us as well. Now, our
commentary.
Shemoth 38:21 These were the
appointments of the Dwelling Place, the Dwelling place of the Witness, which was
appointed by the command of Mosheh, for the service of the Levites, by the hand
of Ithamar, son of Aharon the priest.
22 And Betsalel son of Uri, son
of Hut of the tribe of Yehudah, made all that YHWH had commanded Mosheh.
In the verses that follow we read something akin to an
inventory list of amounts of materials that were used in constructing the
Tabernacle and all its furnishings and implements, including priestly clothing.
(Please continue reading through to the end of the chapter, verse
43).
We notice that not only is there a strict accounting of all
donated materials, but we may also note that regardless of how simple, or how
elaborate, every item is made to an exacting detail. All specifications are
followed, paying strict attention to exacting measurements and shapes. No
shortcuts or deviations are taken. Yahweh's instructions are carried out in
minute detail. Are we as meticulous in our own personal carrying out of the
commands found in Yahweh's
Torah?
We must also consider that all materials were given as free
will offerings. While that was a wondrous and generous thing, we must understand
that even the richest of materials are useless without the skill to put them
into right use. Each separate unit became part of a whole. Yahweh's commands
were given directly to Mosheh and then relayed to Ithamar, then to Betsalel.
Here we see a chain, not necessarily a chain of command, but a chain of
continuance and cooperation for the ultimate benefit of all.
40:1 And YHWH spoke
to Mosheh saying,
2 On the first day of the first
month, you are to raise up the Dwelling Place of the Tent of
Meeting,
3 and shall put in it the Ark of
the Witness, and screen the Ark with the veil.
Once all the work was completed it was brought to Mosheh for
a final inspection. Under Mosheh's direction, the Tabernacle was erected and
each item was set in its own special place. Again, all the separate elements
were joined together.
Under the command of Yahweh, the Tabernacle was erected on a
Rosh Chodesh a New Moon day. Once all was dedicated and consecrated, and once
the people had prepared themselves, we read in verse 34: And the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the
esteem (glory) of YHWH filled the dwelling place.
It is no coincidence that as we read this portion on
this Shabbat, we are also at a Rosh Chodesh the New Moon of Adar Shenai or
Second Adar. The Hebrew calendar is on a 19-year time cycle and seven times out
of those 19 years we have a hebrew version of leap year to keep the months and
Holy Days n their proper seasn an intercalculary month is added. This year,
5768, is one of those years, hence, we have Second Adar. It is almost as if
Yahweh is giving us an extra month in which to prepare ourselves to meet Him at
His Moed, His appointed time of Pesach and Chag HaMatzah (Passover and
Unleavened Bread).
(It is interestng to note that while some reject
Second Adar on the basis that it is not specified in the Bible, most have no
hesitation in using the term Shekinah Glory. This term is a wonderful term and
we use it ourselves. However, these brethren fail to note that the wortd
Shekinah is also not found in Scripture and indeed, is not even a Hebrew word.
I noted that this year some brothers commemorated Purim during Adar one, in the
hopes that Aviv barley would be found in Eretz Yisrael. To their great
dissappointment, it was not found and many of their number were forced to
concede that we must indeed have a second Adar).
Despite the overwhelming and awe inspiring sight of
the cloud and fire that appeared that day, and also accompanied and led Yisrael
through all their journeys, it still took them the remainer of the 40 years to
reach the Promised Land.
We must read the book of Shemoth not merely as a
story or historical account, but as a revelation of human condition. It seems
that the ancient Yisraelites could not fully appreciate or take advantage of the
great miracle of the majestic appearance of the Glory of Yahweh
(Uchvod Yahweh). While they were freed from the physical bondage of Mitsrayim
(Egypt) they were still in psychological bondage to their own yetzer harah --
their own egos and the desire to receive for self alone. There is no doubt that
while the theme of unity was reflected in the constructing and assembling of the
tabernacle, unity of spiritual purpose was lacking among the
people.
It is a custom that when a book of Torah is completed,
as we will have done this Shabbat, the word chazak meaning strengthened, is
repeated three times in the blessing: Chazek, chazek, v'nit chazek (Be strong, be strong, and may we
be strengthened). The numerical value of chazek
is equal to the letters Mem, Hey
and Sheen, the fifth
of the 72 Names (attributes) and the attribute of
healing.
On this Rosh Chodesh and Holy Shabbat Day, may our
prayer be the words of Malaki 4:2 But to you
who fear My Name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His
wings...
As we seek to serve Almighty Yahweh and learn more of
His ways, may we all be blessed with His gift of spiritual healing, and may it
serve to enlighten our eyes, restore our hearing, soften our hearts, and fill us
with a mutual love of the brethren.
A blessed Rosh Chodesh to all as we commemorate Rosh
Chodesh Adar Shenai.
Questions or comments regarding this week's commentary
may be directed to Rabbi Mitchell by e-mail at: yoel@arm-tek.net
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