Voices of WRJ: Parashat Vayak’heil

by Elaine Lust The chapters of Parashat Vayak’heil form a comprehensive narrative about the design, construction, and dedication of the Tabernacle, the Israelite’s portable sanctuary in the desert. Of particular interest are the descriptions of the women’s contributions. It is clear that the women in the community are among the skilled artisans and their expertise is acknowledged and valued. The Israelites demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling God’s commands with their offerings of material to be used for the tabernacle. The people are so eager to give that they bring more supplies than the builders can use, saying, “Take from among you gifts to Adonai; everyone whose heart is so moved shall bring them–gifts for Adonai: gold, silver and copper; blue, purple and crimson yarns, fine linen, and goats’ hair; tanned ram skins, dolphin skins, and acacia wood; oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the aromatic incense; lapis lazuli and other stones for setting, for the ephod and the breastplate (Exodus 35:5-9).” The descriptions of these gifts are so elaborate that the reader will recognize that these contributions represent the outpouring of peoples’ hearts. Women of WRJ offer technical skill, physical dexterity, and practical knowledge to everything we do like our ancient forbearers in the Torah. Whether it’s fundraising, programming, cooking, or the many other tasks we perform daily (in our roles as volunteers for WRJ), we embrace the values set out in this parashah. We support our temples in many ways through religious school, libraries, onegs, Judaica shops and bereavement. As the parashah teaches us, the talents of both men and women are required to build the tabernacle. I submit that sisters are building the Tabernacle again, every day. According to the Tabernacle model, God is manifest in the community no matter where the community resides. In order to come into contact with God, the people do not need to make pilgrimages to a fixed location; they need only to maintain a set of behaviors that will allow God to reside in their midst no matter where they are.  Today’s Tabernacle is the modern Temple or synagogue which forms the center of Jewish spiritual life in the Reform movement. As we make our houses of worship more beautiful like the ancient Israelites did, we also enhance the quality for everyone who enters and participates in our congregations. The WRJ Assembly in San Diego clearly demonstrated and exemplified how the women of WRJ have been enriching Judaism just as strongly as the women at Sinai, with equal passion and ability. We have many mentors and role models, both in this age and from many ages past. We learn from them today and we emulate them in our performance of mitzvot or sacred acts every day. The matriarchs throughout Jewish history continue to guide us even today and in our own way they still inspire us to cope with and make a difference in the challenges of our own lives. Leaders of all organizations are constantly faced with the question: “How can we find ways to motivate our people?”  In this parashah, God provides an answer, “Each person whose heart is so moved will give.” Sisters' hearts are “so moved” every day in fulfilling the teachings of Judaism in so many of our life’s endeavors, which is why I am proud to be a sister to my sisters. Before Moses begins his instructions for constructing the Mishkan he reminds the Israelites about some of the laws of Sabbath observance. On this Shabbat, let us remember our foremothers who gave from their hearts to build Judaism’s first house of worship and at the same time how they contributed towards building a community that would endure from Sinai to our own times.  Shabbat Shalom. Elaine Lust is a WRJ Board member and Lilith Chair; WRJ Southeast District Area Director and Past Treasurer, and Temple Board Director, Treasurer; and Past Sisterhood President of Congregation Beth Yam in Hilton Head, SC.