February 22, 2014
p. 612
35:1 A chiastic structure. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiastic_structure#Use_in_Hebrew_Bible
We are given the story by starting with the most recent piece of the last story and then working backwards. A common feature of most story telling. Moses has just been told by God to keep the Sabbath holy and that is the first thing that he tells the people. The meta story is the transition from the authority of Pharaoh to the authority of God. The fixing of the Sabbath was unique to Israel at the time. From the Christian and Muslim perspective this was a test which the Jews failed. Note that the Sabbath was not introduced into Christianity as a day of rest until the Protestant Reformation in the 17th C. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbath_in_Christianity
The Muslims have no Sabbath – they go to the mosque on Friday but are not prohibited from working on that day. Note also that the penalty of “death” is one of the spirit more than the death of the body. The language is hyperbolic. But why is observance of the Sabbath given such a high priority? There are certain commandments that are spoken of in life or death language. DC: Setting aside some time each week to contemplate, to consider deep questions, is necessary for survival and progress. RL: There is a link to the creation story of God resting on the 7th day. PG: His conduct is a model for human behavior. This is a primer for moving people from faithlessness to faith. Although there is no instruction to attend Temple – one was expected to pray three times a day. The synagogue didn’t really come into existence in anything like its modern form until the 8th or 9th C. Islam comes into existence at a time when Judaism and Christianity were in existence and accordingly many of the tenets and practices of those faiths were adopted. Instead of praying three times a day the founders of Islam elected to pray five times a day. The idea must have been that this repetition and practice would make the congregant even more attentive to his/her faith.
35:4 Gifts for the Eternal. All very upscale or necessary for the operation of the Temple and the adornment of the priests…. From every person who’s heart is so moved. Moses is “saying” to Israel rather than “commanding.” This is not a tax as was the half shekel previously imposed.
35:10 Details re the content of the tabernacle. DC: Why are we wasting time with poles and screens? There is so much more morality that needs to be taught. CL: This is all about material culture. The blue, purple and crimson appears in Jewish and Israeli art even today. In addition to a moral code it is important for a people to have material culture as a connective context for their faith. PG: Kant said that there were certain truths that were deontological – a morality that is free of context. That means that morality is the same for everyone. The alternative is to argue that morality needs a foundational supporting structure. It is sometimes very difficult to live with middle class morality unless you have a middle class income. Jewish thought is never either/or but is both/and. Unless we have a moral society we cannot have a moral order. Here a context is created after we have had the moral law set forth. Note: The translation of “lev” is “heart.”
35:20 Offering are made by those who hearts have moved them. LinL: Where did they get all these riches? Was it the wealth they took from Egypt? PG: This was written much later than the escape from Egypt. It is suggested that this was written during the time of Solomon. The Tent of Meeting has been moved inside of Solomon’s Temple. Richard Friedman has written about this. See: http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1454824?uid=3739832&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=21103436985291 LL: By this time it sounds like they were an affluent mercantile society living at the crossroads of trade in the Mediterranean.
35:30 Bezalel and the other craftsperson’s. Skills could be taught from parent to child in a family but obviously some have God-given talents. It is important to note that God is not “in control” of the seventh day. I8th C. deism has an antecedent here. God’s over-arching plan is built into the original design. Do we have free will when we are prisoners to the laws of the universe? Efforts to find a unified theory that pulls quantum mechanics and relativity into a single system is an effort to eliminate randomness. See the argument between Bill Nye and the Creationists on YouTube. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/04/271648691/watch-the-creationism-vs-evolution-debate-bill-nye-and-ken-ham
LL/

February 8, 2014
p. 563
Exodus 27: 20
The Eternal Light. But here it says that it will burn only from evening to morning. The practical rationale is for dealing with the darkness. Pure olive oil puts out little smoke as compared to wood. When did the light become “eternal?” PG: Probably during the period of synagogues.
28:1 This is likely a retrojection based on what was known at the time of this priestly writing. Note that these vestments are still worn by Catholic Bishops and in the Greek Orthodox Church. Judaism eliminated the priesthood after the Diaspora of 70 AD and the destruction of the second Temple. PG: A religion should be evaluated based on its authenticity. But what does “authentic” mean? For the Orthodox it is strict adherence to the text of the Torah. For the Reform movement it is adaptation to the ideals of the Enlightenment. Rabbinic Judaism puts the burden on each individual to be a member of the “kingdom of priests.” This is in sharp contrast to the Aaronite priesthood set forth in this parsha. Note that at this time only priests were circumcised – usually at the time of ordination. SF: We should consider how to adapt these practices into our everyday lives. PG: How do we do that with our vestments? Today we identify a priest by his alb or collar. “Clothes make the man.” We dress for the high holidays. SF: At what point are you transformed from Paul Golomb to Rabbi Golomb? PG: There are no clothes that separate a rabbi from anyone else. On the high holy days everyone is supposed to wear white. SF: The congregation needs to have their leader elevated in some way. PG: This is the burden of theatre – inhabiting a certain role. Consider the play “Our Town” when Paul Newman played the Stage Manager. It was very difficult for him not to be Paul Newman in the eyes of everyone attending. DC: To me the phrase a Kingdom of Priests indicates that each individual shall have direct contact with God. PG: There is no longer a need for an intercessor on a daily basis – but there will still be prophets. But the people essentially reject this notion and create priests anyway. The real world requires constant compromise or recognition of ones limitations. See Franz Kafka on the creation of the Tower of Babel “”If it was possible to build the tower without ascending it there never would have been a tower.” This is the result that we see in today’s stalled Congress – an unwillingness to compromise from the “ideal.”
28:6 The ephod of gold. See Note 6. SF: This is a description of a tribal leader? PG: No. the description of the names suggests that many generations have passed since Sinai. The is no mention of separate tribes. They do not reappear until the beginning of the Book of Numbers with the census. The redactor seems to want to move the focus from the people standing at the base of Sinai to the tribes. This was the people Israel. But at some point the writers/redactors have to deal with the reality that confronted them. There was a hierarchy. But not in Exodus except for the creation of a priesthood. LL: Division is a necessary part of government: political parties, different and municipal structures. Consider the replication of this sequence described in The Promised Land with the resettlement of Israel by kibbutzim. PG: This happened as well when everyone left the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.
28:13 “…a breastpiece of decision…” RR: This is essentially a description of the silver cover over a Torah. PG: The twelve stones make it clear that each tribe is different than the other. DC: Every year we read this and I wonder why we need all of this detail about construction and clothing. PG: When you are concerned that something be done just right one takes great care in setting forth the detail. CL: In modern society the ritual that gets the most attention is the wedding. If you go into Barnes and Nobel there are detailed instruction. PG: Consider the book “The ‘Eternal American Bliss Machine.” byMarcia Seligson https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/marcia-seligson/the-eternal-bliss-machine-americas-way-of-weddi/
RG: This is a critical juncture in the life of the people. It is necessary to get all of the rules in place even as they become more geographically dispersed over the land of Israel. PG: This was likely written at the time of the Second Temple – which was considerably less than Solomon’s Temple – not as grand a structure and doesn’t have the Ark. These sections are likely a description of what was rather than what existed at the time of writing. It is a memory that calls for a future recreation. (PJ: Why does the thread a mixture of cotton and wool? I thought that they were incompatible. PG: This is required of certain kind of clothing so as to make it unique. CL: We are living in a bubble of present day Jewish culture with its emphasis on words and philosophy. Ancient cultures were more frequently opulent and comfortable with that opulence. SF: But what was the significance of the Breastplate of Decision? What decisions were being made? PG: This was more in indicator of authority. The Book of Leviticus sets forth the responsibility of the priests – including determining what was holy and what was not. Note that there is no possibility of appeal from a determination by a priest on those issues. SF: The breastplate is near the heart so suggests something deeper – a breastplate within one’s heart – a pure heart effaces one’s ego. PG: This is demonstrated in modern times by Al Gore certifying George Bush as President. I believe that GB would have done the same if the roles were reversed. Most of us “buy in” to the necessity for the rule of law as part of the American model.
Per SF see work of Rabbi Luzatto. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moshe_Chaim_Luzzatto

Torah Study Notes 2-15-14
p. 582
The Golden Calf Incident. This aliah is not read as an honor. It is a negative experience in the history of the Jewish people. Both Christians and Muslims have taken advantage of this episode as an explanation of why Judaism fails and is not the way to redemption. It is an intentional misreading of Torah – which is intended in part to describe the difficulties of attaining faith. The concept of Israel is theologically daunting to some elements of those faiths. LL: It is also difficult for some Jews. See the NY Times today wherein a number of religious Jews in academia voice their opposition to the notion of a Jewish State.
30:17 A description of what must be paid – the same amount for rich and poor alike. It is a small amount that the poor can actually pay. Note that the taking of a census is in itself a sin – but a necessary evil. It is likely associated with the cost of building the mishkan as described in the last two sections. When it comes to counting individuals it is important that each person is “worth” the same. Note also that the Tent of Meeting is the Tabernacle – not a separate place. But what is wrong with doing a count? It is necessary in order to have minion for a service after all. And even agrarian commerce requires counting.
30:17 Aaron and his sons get to wash before entering the mishkan. This is clearly a purification ceremony but also designates the Aaronites as having special favor. Also, water is a critical component of life in these arid areas. see p. 544.
30:22 Making the anointing oil. Again the sons of Aaron are giving precedence. Note that Moses could not be a priest because he was the anointer of priests. As to his sons becoming priests this was a contentious issue which the Aaronites won. This is clearly a retrojection – including the reference to expertise in the bending of aromatic oils; an expertise not immediately associated with an agrarian society. Note the use of the Hebrew word “hochmah” which suggests an expertise as a gift from God.
30:31 The sacred oil used for anointing. This is part of a process of sanctification – making a common thing special by associating it with praise and penalty. Shabbat is acknowledged by the lighting of candles followed by a blessing- or significantly a sacred oil – transforming the everyday into the sacred. This is the concept behind transubstantiation. See the work of Stephen Toulman on the philosophy of physics. http://philosophyofscienceportal.blogspot.com/2009/12/deceased-stephen-toulmin.html
He starts with a text from ancient Mesopotamia which describes how something is built. It is the notion of divine intercession. But instructions, it is noted, will work without a prayer. LLant: What does the traditional hand motion mean that is associated with lighting the candles? PG: We are pushing away evil spirits – a practice from the Middle Ages. The mezuzah on the door is also activated by a prayer.
30:34 The ingredients to be used for the incense. Again, misuse results in being cut off from one’s kin. See the incense altar depicted on p. 544. Note that Jews should not refer to Israel as a “holy land” since one could not live there if it was “holy.” Here we are not given proportions for the creation of the incense.
31:1 Bezalel son of Uri – of the tribe of Judah is imbued with special skill to make certain furniture and others are identified to make vestments within the tabernacle.”I have granted skill to all who are skillful.,,”
31: 12 Keeping the Sabbath as holy. But no particular day is established – all is required is consistency from that point on. Note that a calendar exists at the time of promulgation of the Torah and even names for months of the year. They were previously known only by ordinals. Scholars deeply disagree as to how days were named or numbered. One generally thinks of days starting with sunrise. See: Eugen Weber on apocalypses: http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674003958
LL/

November 9, 2013

p. 195

28:10 Jacobs Ladder – there has been considerable discussion about the translation of the Hebrew word for ladder. Clearly a conveyance for going up and down. But there are two words – including one for “staircase.”  Why a stone for a pillow? It takes on greater significance as the story moves forward. Note also the generality of the language as to place – it is indeterminate. Note also the comparison of the descendants to dust – rather than stars. There are radically different images. Dust has a negative connotation. SF: What did Jacob do to deserve this blessing from God? PG: But what did Abraham do? Jacob was chosen before he was born.

28:16 LL:  Is Jacob referring to the place where he fell asleep – that he now sees with new eyes? Or has he been transported to God’s house and gates? What is the “this” being referred to? LL: I would prefer to think that he is seeing the beauty of the place where he is with new eyes. Or is the Gate of Heaven his dream?  There is a great deal of ambiguity here which gives rise to much discussion and analysis. SF : We have a responsibility to bring God into our lives. Jacob assumed that God was back in Beersheba with his father. This teaches that God can be anywhere if the mind is open – in this case via a dream. Now God is everywhere where there is dust. DC: The “”this” – perhaps indicated by a gesture – could be the person. i.e. each of us carries God within us and our bodies are the Gates of Heaven.

28:19  Jacob negotiates and lays out preconditions for tithing to God. Jacob is the first biblical figure that we encounter from childhood and therefore have a back- story for. AF: Did Jacob previously act immorally in the birthright story? Is this a continuation of his tendency to be devious? PG: Superficial reaction does not give a clear understanding. The issues here are ones of justice. Is there an overlap between justice and ethics. Are they always the same? Remember that there was a conflict between Isaac and Rebekah as to who should properly receive the blessing and birthright.

29:1 Jacob meets Rachel. He rolls the stone covering the well on his own – showing off. He is now a physical person who has become more like his brother Esau.

LL/

February 1, 2014
p. 545
The Mishkan or Tabernacle. See diagram on page 544. This is a very detailed description of what is to be constructed. At the time this was written Solomon’s Temple was already in existence – a fixed monumental structure. Here we are given the description of a portable structure – but still elaborate. Nevertheless the narrator likely draws upon what he sees as the basis for this description. All the remainder of the Book of Exodus is focused on the building of the tabernacle, the vestments of the priest, and the furniture. The exception is the story of the Golden Calf. The Israelites are camped at the base of Mt. Sinai. Note that the Torah as we know it is generally considered to have been assembled after the return from Babylon. See Friedman “Who Wrote the Bible?” http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/102104.Who_Wrote_the_Bible_
Ezra and Nehemiah had major roles. Now we have the notion of a “portable” God so that “I may dwell among you.” The notion that the God of Isaac was elsewhere than in a single location is demonstrated in the account of Jacob’s Ladder. This is an important part of the sequence leading to the notion of the ubiquity of God. See Jeffery Tigay on the Gilgamesh legends and their connection to the old testament. http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Evolution_of_the_Gilgamesh_Epic.html?id=cxjuHTH6I2sC
LL: This is all a radically different paradigm from other countries and peoples that had a fixed political location. History was not as important to them – only power and authority. As a result they frequently tried to destroy all traces and accounts of prior dynasties. This happened in China and at least twice in Egypt. It was a common phenomenon during the Roman Empire.
23:10 poles of acacia wood overlaid with gold. EL: Why was it so elaborate? Why the use of gold? CL: it would always shine and was very malleable. Acacia repels insects – very dense. PJ: Why would the poles remain in the rings all of the time? PG: Immediate portability. The writer may also be familiar with the story of Noah and his “ark” as compared to this one. But the Hebrew “aron” is actually a closet whereas in Noah it is a “tabeh” – a large floating object. SF: there is a paradox here: there is considerable work associated with portability and easier to have one central location. PG: Consider Mohammed’s instruction to pray toward Mecca – even though God is everywhere. This is an attempt to deal with this paradox of ubiquity and a single location.
Note that Shomre’s ark is on the east side of the Temple whereas Beth El is on the west. East is traditional if one iis to pray toward Jerusalem. Vassar Temple’s is on the west wall. The alcove is a mosque faces exactly toward Mecca. Prayer rugs are usually designed with a similar niche.
23:17 A cover of pure gold. The cherubim protect the ark. They have wings and faces but their antecedent is unknown today. There is speculation about their role in the Zohar. http://books.google.com/books?id=yGsRF6S7hDMC&pg=PT370&dq=The+Zohar+and+Cherubim&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3xrtUvDTF4jMsQT1gYHADQ&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Zohar%20and%20Cherubim&f=false

CL: This is reminiscent of the tomb of Tutankhamen which had figures in the corners and a winged figure on his pectoral. His sarcophagus also has the elements of face and wings – and that is considerably earlier. PG: There are likely antecedents that were used to indicate the presence of a deity – avatars of God – like the visitors of Abraham, or the figure that wrestles with Jacob. In Ezekial and Isaiah there is reference to “the heavenly host.” These are figures clearly independent of God – more than a manifestation. There is a tendency to fill in the chain of being between Man and God with other figures. SF: See: Rabbi Lozado and “the divine bureaucracy.” (LL: I could not find a reference to this on line) Note that the ark in a modern temple will never replicate the ark in Solomon’s Temple. This description is reserved for one place.