Nachmanides draws our attention to the fact that the details for constructing
the Tabernacle are mentioned no less than five times, thus indicating the degree
of love of the Almighty for the Sanctuary of Israel.
And yet the construction of the Tabernacle did not take place on Shabbat. Hence
we can appreciate the holiness inherent in Shabbat. Not so holy, however, that
Shabbat may not be transgressed for Pikuach Nefesh [the saving of human life].
The Chatam Sofer completes the chain and invites us to appreciate the holiness
inherent in every individual Jew.
Perhaps it was precisely to convey this idea that Rabbi Yitzchak suggested that
the Torah should have commenced with the Mitzva to sanctify the new moon. The
privilege granted to a Jew to regulate his own calendar is also his greatest
accolade – for only a person who is holy can sanctify.
Indeed this very point is made by Nachmanides who notes that the Tabernacle with
all its appurtenances was made by unschooled artisans. Theirs was the triumph of
the human spirit only because “their hearts prompted them.”
The lost vision of the greatness of man and what he may become is given clear
expression in the deluge of disaster-mania - the proliferation of books and
films predicting not only the ending of the world but an ending marked by chaos,
catastrophe and destruction. The media, however, are merely giving expression to
mankind’s premonition of doom. Humanity has largely lost faith in its future.
But Judaism has a different vision of man. Whilst the secular world, seeing man
as a being who emerged from the jungle, conceives of him ultimately returning
there – the Torah conceives of man created in the image of G-d awaiting his
ultimate redemption, a redemption brought about by man himself.
In constructing the Tabernacle, strangely the roof was erected first, followed
by the poles and the beams which were inserted to support it. This must be our
way too. Firstly to dedicate ourselves to the highest ideals and then to live
our lives in consonance with those aspirations. In this way, even as we await
and anticipate redemption, we shall have discovered eternity for ourselves and
for our families.
