Holy instruments went in to building and furnishing the tabernacle. The Torah gives chapter upon chapter of detail regarding the building of this communal structure—a physical representation of the bond that the Israelites formed in the desert.
The text quotes God charging the Israelites: make for me a sanctuary and I will dwell within you. God will both reside in the house that the Israelites worked so hard for as well as dwell within the hearts of those who joined together to build the structure.
The BabylonianTalmud has a witty statement about builders:
Rabbi Elazar said Rabbi Hanina said: Torah scholars increase peace in the world, as it is said: ‘And all your children [banayich] shall be taught of Adonai, and great shall be the peace of your children.’ (Isa. 54:13) Do not read your children [banayich], but your builders [bonayich].”
This has commonly been interpreted to mean that, as we think today, our children are our future—they are not just the products of the earlier generation but rather the holders of the hammers to build tomorrow.
The text is specific in saying exactly what children are builders of—which is peace. 17 builders of peace were tragically killed this past week in a school shooting in Florida.
The Torah went into great detail just a few chapters before we read about the cherubs, keruvim (cherubs) in the tabernacle. The cherubs were these giant golden statues that had their wings spread upwards, shielding the ark cover with their wings, and the faces of children.
According to the Talmud, the keruvim represented the relationship between God and the Jewish People. When the Israelites were in good relationship with God, the keruvim looked at each other, but when they fell out of touch with God, they looked away from one another. And in fact it is easier to look away, especially in the face of such a tragedy, and especially with children. But there is one more account of the keruvim in the face of great tradegy.
The story goes that when the first temple was being destroyed the keruvim turned towards each other and embraced. This is to say, that even in the face of one of the greatest tragedies of Jewish history, Jews turn towards each other, and towards God, for comfort.
We too must turn towards each other. We must turn to the children, the builders of a more peaceful tomorrow, and protect them now more than ever. We must continue to teach them to have faith—whether in humanity, or community, or God—and that life is precious and worth protecting. And we must have faith ourselves that we do not have to individually resolve all of these questions and problems that arise.
We can find strength from our tradition that says we should come together to comfort, support, and inspire one another at times of tragedy and loss. In the wake of this tragedy, Rabbi David Wirtschafter from Kentucky, wrote a parasha-based prayer where he likens children to the gifts that the Israelites bring to be donated to the tabernacle.
“God spoke to Moses, saying:
Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts;
you shall accept gifts for Me
from every person,
whose heart so moves them.”
May every person,
whose heart so moves us,
consider the cost
of our current state of affairs.
May we be moved
to ask if this is how
God intended us to use the gift of life.
May we be moved
to act on behalf of our children,
our students,
our neighbors,
and our communities.
Children are among
God’s greatest gifts to us.
Our ability to cherish,
protect,
nurture,
love,
and value them,
is among the greatest gifts
we have to offer in return.
To receive a gift
is to accept the promise
that comes with it.
To give a gift
is to express the expectation
that it will be received with gratitude
and utilized responsibly.
For the sake of our children, past, present, and future let us become better guardians of our gifts. May this be our blessing, and let us say: Amen.
Rabbi Chaya Bender 