Photo by Andrew Moca on Unsplash
By Rabbi Jackson Mercer, Base BSTN
Parashat Vayakhel “And He Assembled”
We learn this week about the construction of a portable and sacred space – the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. A spiritual epicenter that was created with the purpose of being able to move with the Israelites providing them with access to the Divine wherever they went. It is from the building of the Mishkan that the Rabbinic tradition cultivate this list of 39 activities traditionally prohibited to perform on Shabbat. When looking through those 39 actions, one prohibition in particular might stand out, kotev – writing. Specifically, writing one letter next to another. How does this fit into the building of the Tabernacle?
Rashi explains that the planks of the outer fencing of the Tabernacle, atop each of those boards was a single letter. That letter corresponded with the board meant to fit next to it with the same accompanying letter. After breaking down and moving the Tabernacle, when the time came to re-erect the Priestly Pack-n-Play, the Israelities would match up the Aleph on this board with the Aleph on this board and the Bet on this board with the Bet on this board.
This is at the core of what we do… the power of chaverutah, of partnership. It is the secret sauce of Base, built around a Rabbinic partnership. It is the secret sauce of Moishe House, built around the partnership of friends. Part of this work is helping individuals discover their bashert (perfect match), be it their new best friend, be it their new bandmate, be it a medieval Jewish text that speaks to each of the rooms inside their heart. Their corresponding letter.
