Later on we read that Moses,
Aaron and the kohanim, priests, were
the only ones who actually entered the sacred precincts of the Mishkan. No random Israelite was allowed
to perform the duties of preparing sacrifices. The priests did not volunteer
for this and they could not interview for the job. Priestly duties were
hereditary, passed from father to son. Nevertheless, priests who had physical
or moral blemishes were barred from offering sacrifices. Like the animals they
offered, the priest had to be perceived as “whole” and without any disfigurement.
The opposite is true of
the Israelites who brought the offerings from their flocks and fields. No
Israelite was barred from taking part in the sacrificial cult, either because
of a physical disability or a moral defect. Indeed, the purpose of bringing an
offering was to help individuals heal from moral failings or physical ailments,
be relieved from guilt or give thanks.
Our portion, Terumah, appears before any discussion
of the priestly duties. The first discussion of the Mishkan does not mention any restrictions on who may bring a gift
to help build the holy space. The portion opens by stating the purpose of this
holy place: veshachanti betocham, “that
I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). In creating this mikdash, the holy place designed for the divine presence to be close
to the community, every individual was welcomed and included.
The medieval
commentator Ramban, also known as Nachmanides, underscores this point in two
places. Commenting on the phrase “the
whole Israelite community” (Ex. 35:1), Ramban explains that this language included
both men and women, because everyone contributed to the construction of the Mishkan. Anyone could bring the yarns and fabrics, gold
and silver and copper, wood and oil and spices, and precious stones. Anyone
could make the sanctuary and all of its furnishings, including the ark itself.
In fact, when the Torah gives instructions on crafting the aron hakodesh, the holy ark, which held the sacred stone tablets Moses received on Mount Sinai, Ramban finds another example of inclusion. Here, the verb is in the plural, va’asu – they shall make. In every other instance of building, ornamenting and assembling the Mishkan, the verb is in the singular, va’asita – you (singular) shall make. Ramban points this out, explaining that all Israel was to participate in the making of the ark.
In our portion, the
Torah is making a statement of radical inclusion. After all, in creating
something so lofty, one might be very selective. Only the very best
craftspeople might have been admitted. Only the finest gifts might have been
received. Unlike the priestly obligations which were restricted to a select
few, no one was prevented from participating in this holy work. The inclusion
of every Israelite in the community is central to creating a holy place where divinity
can dwell.
The Torah gives only
one requirement for those who contributed to building the Mishkan: that the gifts come “from every person whose heart so moves him” (Ex. 25:2). Does God
want fine linens and gold and silver ornaments? Does God want only those who
are the best at what they do? The Talmud puts it succinctly: God wants the
heart (Sanhedrin 106b)
Today, when we have no
priests, no sacrifices and no Temple, our synagogues and communal institutions can
and should be holy places where anyone can bring their offerings, both material
gifts and individual talents. What is entailed in becoming a welcoming
community? Later in parashat Kedoshim,
the portion instructing us how to live holy lives, the Torah gives the answer: v’ahavta lereyacha kamocha, “love your
neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Rabbi Akiva called this the most
fundamental principle of the Torah. Find a way to relate to people who are
different from you. When someone brings their heart, answer them as God would,
with a joyous welcome.
Is it enough to
proclaim that everyone is welcome? In the same portion in Leviticus, we also
read “do not curse the deaf and do not put a stumbling block before the blind”
(Lev. 19:14). In other words, we need to live our welcome by looking after the
needs of others. To live as a welcoming, inclusive community requires attention
and intention.
Welcoming communities
have a dual responsibility: first, to state explicitly that everyone is
welcome, regardless of their background, their living situation, who they are
or how they look. And at the same time, a welcoming community needs to be aware
of differences and willing to respond, or even be pro-active, in making people feel welcome. For example, saying that a
community welcomes people with disabilities is not fulfilled without handicap
access. Becoming a community that is welcoming to Jews of color cannot be accomplished
if all the images of Jews on the walls or in the books are white. A community
that asks families to list the “father” and the “mother” is not a welcoming
community to a family with two mothers or two fathers.
If our goal is to be inclusive,
then it’s not enough to consider what makes us feel like good hosts. We need to
consider how the other feels. A welcoming community asks its members what makes
you feel unwelcome and what makes you feel at home.
To create a mishkan, a holy space, we need to make
room for each heart that is moved to be here. We each have a unique offering. From
the Torah itself, the Jewish community is called to become a place where
everyone is welcome so that God can dwell among us.
Published in The Jewish Advocate on January 29, 2014
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