Mar 25/06 - Shabbat Vayakhel / Pekudei Shabbat HaChodesh

Commentary by Rabbi Alan Green

“Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting, whenever the cloud of God’s Presence rested upon it and filled the tabernacle. When the cloud lifted from the tabernacle, the children of Israel set out on all their journeys. But if the cloud didn’t lift, they didn’t journey until it did. For the cloud of God’s presence was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it at night. (This occurred) before the eyes of all the house of Israel, throughout their journeys.” Exodus 40:35, 38

From the Torah’s wispy filaments of terse description, it’s possible to hang mountains of understanding about the interaction between God, Moses, and the Israelites in ancient times, and the possibilities for similar interaction in our modern era. And it’s absolutely necessary that this should be so. However, judging by many modern Jews’ aversion to Torah study, we seem to have reached precisely the opposite of this conclusion. Indeed, how can tales about “clouds by day” and “fire by night” from thirty-three centuries ago guide and inform Jewish life in the modern world?

“Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting, whenever the cloud of God’s Presence rested upon it, and filled the tabernacle.” How unlike the modern concept of God! The fact that we even speak of a “God concept” already puts us far away from the reality suggested in this verse. The God of the Torah isn’t a concept, but rather, a powerful, palpable Presence—so powerful a Presence, it’s actually dangerous for those who don’t watch their step.

The verse tells us that when God’s Presence fills the tabernacle, it’s impossible for anyone—even Moses, “the man of God”—to imagine entering, much less occupying that space. At those times, it would have been as foolhardy for Moses to enter the tent of meeting as it would be for us to touch a 50,000-volt transformer today.

What can we learn from this verse today? How far our attention has wandered away from the Divine Presence. God by definition is unchanging. The Siddur tells us, “From generation to generation, He exists, His name exists, and His Throne is secure.” The 50,000-volt Presence of God is as real today as it was in the days of our ancestors. So, what changed? We did. Or rather, our awareness did. As we have become increasingly absorbed in the forms and phenomena of the external world, we have lost our sense of the inner, spiritual Reality.

This is one reason we feel we can do anything, and go anywhere at any time and place, without negative consequences. While we have multiplied our physical powers far beyond the imaginations of our ancestors, we have lost our spiritual abilities—our sense of awe and wonder of the universe as God’s creation, and as the forum for His Presence. A tent of meeting would be impossible today—not because God has ceased to exist, but because we no longer have any real sense of His Presence.

“When the cloud lifted from the tabernacle, the children of Israel set out on all their journeys. But if the cloud didn’t lift, they didn’t journey until it did.” When we make a move today—from a job, to a locale, in a relationship—what exactly are we looking for? Inevitably, we seek out that job, location, or relationship that seems to hold the greatest promise of fulfillment and happiness.

Now, let’s flash back to the Israelites in the wilderness. We surmise from the Torah that it was hot, dry, and uncomfortable for most of the forty years that the Israelites sojourned in the Sinai Peninsula. This might explain much of the dissatisfaction and rebelliousness of the Israelites during this period. Under those conditions, the desire to get up and go must have been overwhelming. In a situation where it’s about as bad as it can be, anywhere is better than where we are right now.

And yet—“if the cloud (of the Divine Presence) didn’t lift, (the Israelites) didn’t journey until it did.” The Israelites constantly had to resist the impulse and instinct to move on. They had to sit and wait until God gave them the signal to go.

What can we learn from this verse today? Issues of happiness and fulfillment may not be the best reasons for us to make a move, either. In our lack of happiness or fulfillment, a lesson might be lurking that we couldn’t get in any other way. A cloud of anger, resentment, or lack of clarity might signal that we shouldn’t move on until the cloud lifts. If we’re willing to sit patiently with our discomfort, and with our questions, we give God an opportunity to answer them. These answers will eventually inform us as to the best time and place to make a move.

Finally, “For the cloud of God’s presence was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it at night.” What can we learn from this verse today? There are periods of daylight and darkness in every lifetime. There are up cycles and down cycles; periods of elation and depression; times of achievement and stagnation. Our journeys aren’t so different from the journey our ancestors took through the Sinai wilderness, all those centuries ago. We have our ups and downs, even as the Torah describes the spectacular rising and falling of the ancient Israelites.

But God’s Presence is present throughout. It was “on the tabernacle by day,” during the bright periods, when it’s easy to believe that life is good and everything’s coming up roses. But there was also “fire in it at night.” God is also a Presence during the dark periods of our lives. When the sun of pleasantness sets, and our sadness darkens even the moon and stars, God continues to illuminate the darkness. God is that inextinguishable candle flame of hope—the hope of lessons learned, and darkness eventually yielding before a new dawn.

“(This occurred) before the eyes of all the house of Israel, throughout their journeys.” And may we soon see it on all of our respective journeys as well.

Shabbat Shalom.