Parashat P’qudei (March 4, 2011)
Exodus 38:21 – 40:38
Our Torah portion is the last in the book of Exodus. It tells of the final realization of the construction of the Tabernacle. After every item has been created through the devoted skill of the Israelites and their skilled artisans, the items are brought to Moses to be set up. As Moses goes about this process, each item is mentioned on its own. While we could have had a general statement such as, “Moses set up the entire Tabernacle,” the Torah chooses, instead, to tell us every step in the process: “He took the table, he placed the covering,” etc. (Ex. Chapter 40)
Apparently the Torah wants to express the care that Moses exercised in handling each object and executing each placement. Within this detailed catalogue, there is one verse that goes even one step further in its particulars: “And he took and placed the Tablets of Testimony into the ark.” (Ex. 40:20) Surely the Torah – as it did with every other implement in the Tabernacle – could have simply said: “And he placed the Tablets …” Yet it adds another verb – “And he took.”
Perhaps this detail means to convey to us a special moment of hesitation or pausing on Moses’ part as he took the Tablets of the Ten Commandments. With regard to all other items he moved with efficiency and care. But then, when he came to placing the Tablets into the Ark, our verse literally slows us down, as Moses himself slowed down. For a moment, but only for a moment, before he places them into their café container, Moses stands with the Tablets in his hands. He holds these Tablets in an embrace.
What might he have been thinking as he stood there, momentarily caressing these sacred stones, inscribed with the Word of God? What emotions may have coursed through his heart? I leave such questions for each of us to answer. I pray that each of us merit to physically hold and caress our Torah in a similar embrace.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi David Greenstein
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