This past week has been full of the usual hustle and bustle of the “after-COVID” period. While we have certainly not fully conquered the virus and globally it continues to wreak havoc, in Melbourne when considering the position we were in one year ago, in deep lockdown with cancellations and a bleak forecast leading into Passover, this year things certainly feel different.
I was lucky enough to participate in the filming of a multicultural documentary for Casey Council at the ARK which is looking at the return of communities to faith spaces such as Synagogues in the year after COVID-19 restrictions. As I have often highlighted in my weekly messages, we are so blessed to live here in a place that is the envy of the world, with the opportunity to continue to gather in-person and celebrate and mark occasions together as a community.
This week we finish the book of Shemot (Exodus) by reading the final two Parshiot of Vayekhel-Pekudei. Both Torah portions discuss the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with the specifications of each item described in great detail in the Parsha. The designs of each item required dedicated crafting and detailed and intricate construction in order to meet the requirements for G-d’s Tabernacle.
Each item, from the cherubs that sat on top of the Ark to the sockets of the walls and the woven covers, is intricately described with the sizes, colours and precious materials included in their construction. As a child, my Jewish studies teacher would bring in a book that provided pictures of replicas of each of the items constructed in the Mishkan with up-close depictions of the beauty and features.
But why are these items described in such depth in the Torah?
In Judaism, it is not a requirement for a Mishkan to be beautiful. Nor is it a requirement for any Synagogue to be built with exceptional or detailed architecture or precious materials like gold or silver. In fact, Synagogues can be as plain as one wants them to be, with simple pews and rooms.
However, in a place where people will gather to pray and invoke G-d, which will bring down G-d’s presence on this earth, it is hoped that by creating a space that is magnificent and pleasing to the eye that people will want to spend more time there. And that is why this week’s Torah portions are dedicated to retelling the beauty and intricate details of the Mishkan.
While we know we are lucky to be able to gather in-person in Melbourne despite the sadness and tragedy that COVID-19 has brought to so many other countries around the world, our sanctuary remains strong. We know after a year of restricted gatherings that the beauty is in the details and we should be grateful to be able to gather and celebrate our milestones together.
ARK Centre acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our organisation is located and where we conduct our activities. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. ARK Centre is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.