Rabbi Werbow

I try to make a point not to duplicate the words of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah and to speak on a different topic.  I find it hard to do that today.  Daniella got right to the heart of today’s parsha and the important role it plays in our lives today.  The key word she used was Mitzvah.  She spoke of the obligation we have to give Tzedakah and to do acts of Tikun Olam, acts that repair the world.  Unlike American society which is based on rights, Judaism is based on responsibilities.  Mitzvot are these responsibilities and by engaging in them we create a Kehillah Kedosha, a holy community.

One way to create holiness through Mitzvot is to give tzedakah.  The Israelites did this in today’s parsha by contributing the half-shekel.  In addition B’zalel was singled out as the artisan who would design the Mishkan.  He was called on for his specific talents and was asked to put them to work for a holy purpose.  We each have to ask ourselves, “What talents do I have that I can use to create something holy?  What actions will I take to help create a place where God dwells in our community?” 

Unfortunately sometimes we act in a way that might, on the surface, seem good but under closer inspection is not positive at all.  The people did this when building the Golden Calf.  There is one perspective on this episode that understands that the people were not making an image of God but rather a replacement for Moses. 

They felt that the intermediary between them and God was gone and they needed something to take his place.  Could you blame them?  They have just gotten a taste of freedom and have had their hands held along the way and now, their guide, support and mouthpiece to God is missing.
What is important to note is the zeal with which the people gave to both the building of the Mishkan and to the building of the Golden Calf.  This is noted in the Jerusalem Talmud which states: “What a peculiar people.  When asked to build the tabernacle they gave generously.  When asked to build an idol they gave generously.”  We learn that the people viewed both endeavors as important.  They wanted to access God and become close to God and they pursued those goals with passion.
When the people were asked to give for the building of the Mishkan they quickly gave and were happy with what they were building.  However, they didn’t stop to think about what they had to give other than monetary contributions.  What gap was left in the giving?  They missed that what they needed was not to build a physical Mishkan but rather a neighborhood, the Hebrew for which is Sh’chunah, related to the Hebrew word Sh’chinah – God’s immanent presence.  It also shares the root of the word Mishkan – the Tabernacle that they were building in the desert.
This Sh’chunah should be a place where they were not just concerned with interacting with God but rather with the people in their community. 

Money can only buy and build so much.  Ultimately person-to-person interaction and support is what fills the holes between the brick and mortar.  When the physical structure erodes, the spiritual strength remains. 

Unfortunately we find ourselves at a time when the physical infrastructure that people have built is falling down.  People are losing their jobs and, in extreme cases, their homes.  The nest eggs that people have built have been reduced considerably and needed protection, like health insurance, might no longer be affordable. 

Where do people turn?  The first line of the Parsha tells us. כִּי תִשָּׂא אֶת-רֹאשׁ בְּנֵי-יִשְֹרָאֵל
It is normally translated as “When you take a census of the Israelite people…” but we could instead read it as, “When you raise up the heads of the Israelite people…”  We need to lift up the heads of the Jewish people.  We need to count ourselves as part of a Sh’chunah where our spiritual, as well as our monetary support is needed.

25 years ago this May, Congregation Beth Shalom lifted its collective heads to help both those in the Beth Shalom Sh’chunah and beyond.  In response to a tragedy in our community, a program named Yad Ezra – Helping Hand - was developed.  Just as Bezalel was asked to lend his talents to the building of the Mishkan, congregants were asked to offer their talents to strengthen our Sh’chunah.  A confidential system was put in place by which someone with a need could contact a central number and be directed to a congregant who would help out by way of his or her talent.  If someone needed an attorney they would be directed to a lawyer who would counsel them and do pro bono work.  If they needed a therapist they would be contacted by an appropriate individual. 
We need to act now to re-implement Yad Ezra.  Our neighbors are looking for a helping hand and we have to stand up and be counted among the resources.  Almost every day I am getting news of congregants who have lost their jobs.  There will be more and more people who need the helping hand that each one of us can provide.  Childcare may be needed by a parent who has to go to a job interview or go grocery shopping, an accountant or tax lawyer may be needed by someone who is facing an IRS audit.  When times are as tight as they are now the cost of these services could break someone’s already shaky budget.

Sometimes we know of someone who might need help but are not sure if we should approach them or not.  We might fear they just want to be left alone.  This may be true but God and Moses’ interaction after the Golden Calf teaches us an important lesson.  God tells Moses, “Now leave off from me, and my anger will flare at them.”  What did Moses do?  He stayed with God.  He spoke with God.  He soothed God’s temper.  And, He directed God’s anger in a kinder direction.  We must not leave our friends to their misery.  We must stay with them, talk with them, support them and direct them to find the support they need.  No one should be left alone.

In the end we will celebrate our Sh’chunah.  The people donated to the Mishkan, built the structure and were then instructed to observe Shabbat.  Similarly, with the Golden Calf, the people donated their gold, watched as it was built and then celebrated.  We will do the same.  We will contribute out time and energy, build a glorious Sh’chunah and then celebrate the Godliness that we have brought into our midst.

Let it be God’s will, Ken Yehi Ratzon.                                                  Amen!

Cantor Ben Rosner