Rabbi Jon’s Reflection on This Week’s Torah Portion
3.15.2024
Pikudei 2024: The Work of Our Hands
A short reflection on Pikudei (Exodus 38:21-40:38)
We were slaves during our stay in Egypt. Slaves don’t get “cushy” jobs. No cappuccino breaks, or chairs with lumbar support or the latest technology. What do slaves get? Just a lot of hard, backbreaking work. Slaves typically do the tasks that no one else wants to do. In Egypt, we toiled with our hands; flexing our intellectual power on the job was a rarity. Sadly, it was work without joy since our labor was forced. No matter the beauty of what we had made, could we take any pleasure in it?
According to this week’s Torah portion, we are just starting the second year of our time in the desert. We are no longer slaves and we have accomplished so much through God’s efforts, our own intellects, and the work of our hands. We have the Ten Commandments. We have a court system. We have 70 tribal leaders to assist Moses. At this moment in our biblical story, we are putting the finishing touches on the Mishkan, our portable sanctuary and a home for Adonai’s presence.
In this concluding parasha of Exodus, we read, “And Moses saw all the work, and, behold, they [the Israelites] had done it just as Adonai had commanded, and Moses blessed them” (Ex. 39:43). Yes, a lot of work was completed, and it filled the Israelites’ hearts with joy to see the outcome of their handiwork. This verse brings up the question – If God as described in the Torah is so powerful, then why did God leave the making of the Mishkan up to the people? Why would God need people to build a holy home? Why would God need them to do anything?
First let me present you with the simple answer -- as in the story of creation, we are in partnership with God. When we work in synchronicity with that which is holy, we accomplish things that are worth being blessed. When we are not working for holy goals, we are going down the wrong path.
But, this section is not just about partnership. It is also about what you can accomplish on your own. In this case, God drew up the blueprint for the mishkan but a good idea is just an idea. It takes labor to transform a “good idea” into a reality. When you bring an idea to life, you are creating just as the Torah speaks of God creating the earth. God gave the blueprint for the Mishkan’s design, but the people did the building all on their own.
Why did God give us a chance to create? Well, there is always a lesson to be learned from every verse and word in Torah and the rabbis believed the lesson comes from this line found in Psalms (128:2), “You shall be happy with the fruit of your labors; you shall be happy and you shall prosper.” By doing what is right, by developing things that are good, you are creating happiness and beyond happiness, prosperity. Meaningful work is a way to move closer to all that is holy.
As Thomas Jefferson once said, “It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing.” While reflection is important, Holiness comes from the “doing.” May we all be blessed with the ability to do work whose essence is holy and whose outcome brings us joy.
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PIKUDEI SUMMARY FROM THE URJ
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A statistical summary of the materials used for the Tabernacle and an account of producing the priestly vestments are recorded. Moses blesses the Israelites for the work they did. (38:21-39:42)
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Upon God's instruction, Moses sets up the Mishkan and the priests are anointed and consecrated. (40:1-33)
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A description is given of a cloud that covers the Mishkan by day and a fire that burns by night, indicating God's Presence therein. (40:33-38)
For more information on this Torah portion go to: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/pkudei
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