Va'yakhel
Exodus 35:1–38:20
Now that the Israelites have THE TABLETS (what eventually becomes Torah), they need to build the vessel that will house them. God commands a wide array of items be brought as offerings including dolphin skin, acacia wood and multiple colors of yarn. Having God command is not a new thing and it won't ever be an old thing either. However, there is a very interesting addition in this week's portion. God commands but adds kol nideev libo, "anyone whose heart moves them" shall bring these "gifts".
Huh?
What?
If God is commanding, which means obligating the Israelites to carry out certain tasks, then why are the items they must bring referred to as gifts? And why is there an additional component that indicates the offerings are voluntary? (Side note: "l'hitnadev" in modern Hebrew means "to volunteer".)
How can the items be commanded and voluntary at the same time? How can God specify what is brought and simultaneously label them gifts?
The Israelites are new to this whole freedom gig. It takes time to make this transition. Some may never figure it out which is why we are told God takes 40 years to bring them to the Promised Land (so the slave generation can die out in the desert and a new generation can be born free).
The Israelites are used to following orders. They are comfortable or at least familiar with being told what to do. They haven't had the opportunity to think and to choose for themselves.
Perhaps having both elements; the command and the choice allows everyone to feel secure? Nobody has to worry about getting it wrong. Nobody has to be concerned with failing or (God forbid), disappointing God (pun intended).
God knows what the people can handle. God is always very aware that humanity was the only creation endowed with free will. It wouldn't have made any sense to create humanity with the ability, with the power to choose, and never let them utilize this precious gift.
This is the beginning of what will be the relationship between humanity and God for eternity. If God doesn't provide space for the Israelites to engage their free will, then how will faith be established? Faith is illogical. Faith is irrational. It requires trust. It takes courage to suspend logic and reason in order to believe that something larger than the self exists and is part of each of us - supporting us, enabling us to act and react (separate and not dependent upon the choices we make). Making choices feeds into feeling empowered and strong. In the end this is what allows for the existence of faith. Faith comes from a place of strength, not weakness. It comes from the heart, not the mind. It the heart that moves us towards something larger than ourselves. Faith requires a suspension of proof and truth. Faith is the epitome of free will, because faith is the ultimate choice.
Kol nideev libo, "all whose heart compels them" represent those who are choosing faith, those who are choosing to believe in God. This cannot be forced upon someone. You can't see or touch faith. If we want it, we much choose it.
Mekor Ha'chayiim, Source of Life, we are grateful for the courage to choose and to know that something larger than ourselves is embedded in every choice. May we lead and live with heart.
Shabbat Shalom,
Laurie
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