Vayakhel-Parah 5785

Vayakhel-Parah 2025

It takes a special artisan to build a house of God. The Torah informs us that Bezalel, was chosen to be the chief architect and master builder of the Tabernacle of God in the wilderness. His mastery and his eye for not only detail, but the spiritual dimensions associated with the design and construction, were of a unique artisan. For those special qualities, Bezalel was chosen by God to design and build the house of God. What is most interesting is that while the Torah provides us with the blueprint and the design, if one were to have attempted to complete it on one’s own, one would not be successful. It needed a Bezalel.

The Torah also speaks of the need of skilled artisans who understood the spiritual aspects. We are told that those involved in everything from needlework to that of wood cutting, needed to be “chachmei lev,” filled with the wisdom of the heart. It was not enough for each individual to have the artisan’s skill. As the artisan created the task they were assigned to create, they needed the “spiritual” and religious essence imbued within them. Otherwise, while the item may have been accurate according to design, it may not have been deemed authentic.

There was also a need for individuals who were not skilled artisans. While the Torah does not speak in those terms, clearly there were those who were needed simply to help the skilled artisans in this monumental undertaking.  Needless to say, many had already been involved as slaves of Pharaoh in such tasks helping to build the different structures in Pitom and Ramses. And their skills, while not those of artisans, were just as important.

Often we do not recognize those individuals who help at their own abilities or own strengths and skills.  For example, how often when we go out to eat do we recognize the dishwashers or those who bus our tables or clean the restrooms, or those in the supermarket who not only stack the shelves but clean the floors and tidy up the place?  Or perhaps the staff in the rehab center who are the behind-the-scenes people.

If you have ever watched a television show with chef Gordon Ramsey, have you ever realized how many frying pans and pots and pans are used during the making of the show? Never do we see those individuals who spend time cleaning up after the show. Just a little while ago, while we were watching one of those shows, the thought caught my attention.

While I know there is no actual way to acknowledge them, the behind-the-scenes staff are integrally important in what makes any business shine.  And it was the same, in the following of the design of the building of the Tabernacle, the House of God, in the wilderness.

While many of us are skilled artisans in our own unique way, there are times that we too are simply the behind-the-scenes people. We might not recognize that role that we assume, because of our skill set in other areas. But sometimes, we are those people too.

As Passover is creeping up upon us, not all of us are capable of leading the Seder. We might feel a tad inexperienced. But simply being there, sitting at the table, and experiencing Passover with the leader, is just as important a role, as the one who is leading. Perhaps we may have not prepared the meal, but enjoying the delicacies of the Passover seder meal is just as important as the one who cooked it. Yes, I praise my wife for her skill set in knowing what to buy to prepare the meal, and how she prepares it. I have often said to Lisa, if I had to do this all myself, and know what we needed not only for the preparation of the seder food, but the food that we need for the eight days, I would be lost. And I  know that she appreciates my dishwashing skills, not only after the seder, but after every meal. And needless to say, she appreciates the fact that I am leading the seder, taught by my Uncle Joe, of blessed memory, every word and every melody. But the fact  is that each person sitting at our seder table plays a role, one not less important than the other.

Perhaps that might also be a different take on this week’s special reading for the maftir, Parashat Parah. The reading is specific, one month prior to Passover. Parashat Parah is the reading of the section of the Torah dealing with the purification of those who have come into contact with a deceased body. According to the Torah, an individual who comes in contact with a corpse, must ritually purify oneself before he or she may participate in the Paschal sacrifice and the experience of celebrating Passover. In order to prepare to observe Passover, the reading is chanted to give every individual the opportunity to sense his or her own spiritual connection with the week of Passover, all of its preparation (on whatever level that may be) and the willingness to experience through the seder the exodus from Egypt. While we do not observe the Paschal sacrifice, each one of us may be  likened to one who needs to religiously and spiritually prepare as we are proscribed in the Torah from participating in the seder, until we ready ourselves. So let’s get ready!!!

Bring them home now!!!

Am Yisrael Chai!

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi K