In this week''s reading Moses introduces the people to Bezalel – the master artist and constuctor of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. As with much of the content of the parsha this is almost a word for word repetition of last week''s text. There it is God who introduces Bezalel to Moses. Both introductions are essentially a three-verse long run-on sentence ennumerating Bezalel''s divinely endowed gifts. They tell of his talents of working with silver, gold, brass, stones, wood. Yet there is one difference between the two; one addition to this week''s telling that was not in the last. Here Moses adds a fourth verse which introduces another type of skill altogether. He says that God gave Bezalel the ability “l''horot” – to teach, to instruct. Suddenly, amidst all of these technical skills Moses brings in the craft of educating others in how to create. And let''s not forget, the people have just emerged from their most monsterous creation ever, the Golden Calf. They are admonished, repentant, broken. One might have thought that their confidence in their ability to create anything worthwhile would have been snuffed out with the calf. And yet, in spite of, or perhaps because of it, they are moved – and moved mightily – to create offerings, and to re-create themselves. The creative impulse and act is essentially therapeutic for the people. They are healed from the trauma of the calf with the creation of the Mishkan. Bezalel stands as a master teacher in his ability to empower others to their highest creative selves. And in this he also stands as a healer, able to bring healing through empowerment. It is when our leaders have a heartfelt urge to teach, to nurture the growth of others, to guide, to share, to empower...that sacred space is materialized in our midst. The poem below shares Bezalel''s instructions to a young artist. He teaches not external, manual technique but internal, spiritual technique. For the text is clear, his skills are divinely-implanted. He thus instructs others to become creators by connecting to and shadowing the ultimate Creator. The exercise for this week – List out 3 of your most divinely-endowed skills. How can you teach one of them to someone else? Letter to a Young Artist Though knowledge may be taught Wisdom must be mined and a thousand-seasons of advice can be lost in the gloss of a single self-sought in-sight The best I can teach you is to seek Source within. God-gifted voice granted still, small and thin. So inquire and see, where is this mishkan constructed in me? Where are you embroidered, where garbed in argaman? Where are you hammered, where are you spun? What is the silver that you alone smith? What gold is burrowed in your fault-lines and rifts? Your life, right now is risen-sap and skeleton key The sole material resilient to time and small quakes of defeats. Your internal compass is the one text I compel you to read. * Do not be distracted by task and materials. Technique is irrelevant when you''re working with miracles. YOU yourself are the fiberous flesh of the tent instructions for construction engraved on your skin YOU are the blueprint for building -- unfurl! The study of self is the map to the world So heed the mentor of inner maji who shutters forth in dreams - whose instructions are embedded and spelled out in reams of data from the droning mundane of your days Raised up, encoded in skin, limb and name. * It all depends on God Remember that And you'll never lack for applause ….for the thunder herself will provide And the tongues of trees Will sound the treble of your best critique And as for vocation that path will be gilded with bow to the Spirit not boon to the self. And you will know your own name by hearing it called from God's mouth and none else. And when the final test comes and you spin gold out of straw credit but the Instructor who endowed it all.
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)