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Our two parashas this Shabbat are Ki Tisa, translated ‘When You Take’ and Vayachel, meaning ‘And He Assembled’ spanning Exodus 30:1-38:20. The central theme is the construction and craftsmanship associated with the Tabernacle. These are bittersweet chapters; on the one hand, so much generosity, artistry and grace, and yet, such depravity and sin.

We’re introduced to Bezalel and Oholiav, two uniquely gifted craftsmen commissioned by God to produce the many and ornate furnishings for the Tabernacle. Together with the men of their artisan’s guild as it were, these men faithfully and lovingly executed the Divinely-designed place of worship.

At the end of chapter 31 God reminds Moses of the seriousness of the Sabbath, calling it a sign between Himself and Israel throughout our generations. After this, God gives Moses the tablets He Himself inscribed, and we’re suddenly reminded that everything recorded between chapters 19 and 31 took place between Adonai and Moses atop Mt. Sinai.

Meanwhile, trouble was afoot down in the camp. In Moses’ prolonged absence, Israel panicked, and urged Aaron to craft an idol. This just six weeks after God met with us at Sinai and warned us not to make idols. Aaron gave in to their wishes, instructing the people to bring him their fine jewelry. He took their gold earrings and performed a little ‘artistry’ of his own. He produced an abomination: a golden calf. Our people declared, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” We may have left Egypt, but not the Egyptian mindset. Israel sacrificed to that idol and then sat down to eat; and then the Scripture says,  rose up to play – a euphemism for illicit sexual activity.

God told Moses to go down quickly, saying, “Your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves…” Moses pleaded on their behalf, but said to the Lord that they were, “Your people, whom You brought out from the land of Egypt…”. Moses pleaded with God to be merciful for the sake of the Patriarchs and for His covenant promises to Israel. On account of Moses’ plea, God forgave us and we were spared.

But there would be consequences.

Moses returned to the camp, saw the wickedness going on, and in anger, threw down and smashed the tablets containing the 10 Commandments. Then Moses drew the proverbial line in the sand and said, “Whoever is for Adonai, come to me!” Out of the entire nation, only the tribe of Levi stood with him. 3,000 leaders of that rebellion were put to death that day. It is a tragic chapter in our history, and its central placement in this part of the Torah (it actually interrupts the instructions about the Tabernacle) – is quite intentional.

Chapters 35-38 are a wonderful, if bittersweet, expression of the grace of God. We are re-introduced to Bezalel and Oholiab and those working with them to skillfully produce the artifacts for the Mishkan – the Tabernacle. It’s bittersweet, because it comes in the aftermath of that horrific golden calf incident. We forsook the Lord who had just weeks earlier redeemed us out of Egypt, and delivered us from centuries of slavery. How quick we are to forget! How easily we go astray!

Anyone whose heart was stirred, was invited to bring materials needed for the Tabernacle: gold, silver, colored fabrics of blue, purple and scarlet, rams’ skins dyed red, porpoise skins, precious and semi-precious stones and select oils and spices. I wonder how many hearts were stirred, and how must it have felt to contribute to this grand project?

And yet these chapters represent the wonderful grace of God, because although the golden calf incident was a disaster, God did not abandon Israel. He did not disown His people. Otherwise, why would He have instructed us to resume construction of a place where He would meet with us? He is a God who desires to draw near. Sin interrupts that communion with Him, but He does not change. He is and will always be compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and truth… who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin, yet will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. If we belong to Adonai, He will discipline us, but always with a view toward restoration.

Second chances – the very thing we all need, is what we are given by Eloha Slichot, the God of Forgiveness. And, like our ancestors in the wilderness, He invites us to start anew, bringing Him, out of gratitude, our very best abilities and resources. In fact, Israel kept bringing so much gold and silver and fabrics and precious stones, that Moses finally had to issue the order not to bring any more. The cheerful giving is evidence of a people forgiven and joyously ready to do God’s bidding.

There are powerful lessons to learn from these parashas.

1. Consider the abilities God gives people: Bezalel and Oholiav in artistry and craftsmanship. Aaron too, apparently had artistic abilities. What are your hands producing? There’s an old saying: “Who you are is God’s gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.” You have the potential to produce a thing of beauty or to produce something reprehensible.
2. A veneer of religious activity does not transform what is evil into what is good. Aaron attempted to sanitize the making of an idol by saying, “Tomorrow will be a feast to Adonai”. Don’t confuse ‘religion’ with theological truth. God is real, and holy, and we dare not ignore or re-interpret His instructions.
3. If you have musical or artistic abilities, it is because you were given them by God. Don’t neglect them; and don’t take credit for them, but give God the glory. And don’t ever pervert those talents. Not everything that is called ‘art’ is worthy. Make sure what your hands produce is God-honoring and beneficial to others.
4. Only one out of Israel’s twelve tribes was willing to stand up for Adonai on that day. Never confuse majority opinion with the truth. A majority never, ever, makes something right, or justifies sin.
5. Had Moses not placed himself squarely between God’s wrath and our people, Israel would have been obliterated in judgment. This illustrates a fact: we Jews have always needed a middleman! On several occasions, Moses had to intercede for us. In this way Moses was a type of the Messiah to come, who would interpose Himself, taking the punishment we deserved.

Have you squandered your talents and resources on useless and wicked things? If you confessed it to God, and are willing to forever turn away from those things, the good news is that God still wants to restore you and commune with you! And when that happens, you have a renewed opportunity to serve Him and bring Him your very best. So let’s get back to work!