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Last week we heard about the episode of the Golden Calf when the Children of Israel, while Moses was up on Mount Sinai, decided that they needed a god that they could see.

This week's Torah portion is Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20) which begins "And Moses congregated (vayakhel) the entire community of Israel" (Exodus 35:1). Basically, this portion finds Moses recounting to the Israelites the instructions that he had received from God on Mt Sinai. He reminds them to observe Shabbat and that on Shabbat they are not to do any work. It is added that there also should be no lighting of any fires.

The people are asked to bring gifts of beautiful yarns and fabric, jewellery and gem stones, animal skins, spices and oils for the construction of the mishkan (the desert tabernacle). Rather than have a god that they could see they were to create a visible and unique place in which our invisible God could be worshipped. Everyone who is skilled is invited to help build and decorate the mishkan under the direction of Bezalel and Oholiab the two craftsmen who were singled out by name in last week’s portion.

commentary and culture

Last week I had the rather surreal experience of having two Erev Shabbats! The first on Thursday evening was filmed for a show to go out later this year on Channel 4 (those who come to tent on March 11 may be filmed!!!). The surreal nature of what we did last week sunk home when I saw Liora’s (aged 2!) confused face on Friday night! Was this no longer special to Fridays!

I had to explain about the significance of Shabbat both traditionally and personally. In my reading I found this list of Do’s and Don’ts, Ten Pathways toward a New Shabbat from Arthur Green, a modern day mystic who I had the pleasure of learning from once in NYC. I do think that they give pause for thought and I would be interested in your responses.

DO:

STAY at home. Spend quality time with family and real friends.
CELEBRATE with others: at the table, in a synagogue, with your community or with those with whom you can best share in appreciating God’s world.
STUDY or read something that will edify, challenge, or make you grow [a bit like reading this!].
BE alone. Take some time for yourself. Check in with yourself. Review your week. Ask yourself where you are in your life.
MARK the beginning and end of this sacred time: lighting candles and kiddush on Friday night and havdalah on Saturday night [and I would add, your own rituals that are meaningful to you].

DON’T:

DO anything you have to do for your work life. This includes obligatory reading, homework for kids, unwanted social obligations, and preparing for work as well as doing your job itself.
SPEND money. Separate yourself completely from the commercial culture that so much surrounds us.
DO business. No calls to the broker, no following up ads, no paying bill. It can all wait.
TRAVEL. Avoid especially commercial places like airports, hotel check-ins, and similar depersonalising commercial encounters. Stay free of situations in which people are likely to tell you to “have a nice day!” (“Shabbat already is a nice day, thank you!”).
USE commercial or canned video entertainment, including TV and computer. Stay in situations where you can be face-to-face with those around you, rather than facing the all-powerful screen.