What does it take to create something completely new - something that has never existed before?
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayekhel-Pekudei, we arrive at the much awaited construction of the Tabernacle, the very first sanctuary of the Children of Israel, through which they are to gain ongoing closeness to the Divine Presence. One noteworthy aspect of the Tabernacle’s construction is that the work is performed not by one specific tribe or professional guild but rather by all those who are wise of heart (khakham/at lev - חכמ/ת לב), both men and women alike. The work is overseen by Bezalel and Ohaliab, who themselves have been especially endowed by the Divine with wisdom of the heart (khokhmat halev - חכמת הלב).
What exactly is this wisdom of the heart that is so critical to the building and assembly of the Tabernacle and all its sacred vessels - from the Ark of the Covenant to the Menorah to the curtain loops?
Wisdom of the heart is often understood as skill, particularly in the realm of craftmanship, whether in general or in a particular craft, as in someone who is “good with their hands”. This interpretation seems to make sense, as those endowed with this wisdom are tasked with the craft work of construction, weaving, assembly, et cetera. Yet why is it called wisdom of the heart rather than wisdom of the hand? What’s the heart got to do with it?
I believe a helpful clue may be found in a classic midrash that illuminates what distinguishes Bezalel - who is especially endowed with wisdom of the heart and thus tasked with overseeing the Tabernacle construction - from Moses - who is not. According to a midrash in Bamidbar Rabbah (15:10), Moses struggles with God’s instructions regarding the construction of the Menorah. God has to repeat the instructions multiple times and even present Moses with a miraculous fiery vision of the Menorah, and still Moses struggles - until God tells Moses to go to Bezalel so that Bezalel can make the Menorah.
And indeed Moses goes to Bezalel, relays the instructions, and Bezalel builds the Menorah immediately and exquisitely. Bezalel, who is not a prophet, does not converse directly with God, has not seen a miraculous fiery blueprint, but has wisdom of the heart, is able to proficiently and beautifully comprehend and carry out the task.
I would argue, therefore, that wisdom of the heart could be best described as creative imagination, that is, the ability to envision and to create something that does not yet exist in reality - a flexible form of thinking, a soft yet constructive intelligence. Moses is an exceptional leader, judge, and man of action and emotion. He is exceedingly humble, has a powerful moral compass, and is able to follow God’s instructions when they are clear and tangible. Yet he struggles to think outside of the box, to imagine and create something that does not yet exist. On the other hand, Bezalel and those like him, have a certain creative intelligence that enables them to envision and create something that they have never actually seen before - similar, arguably, to divine creation. Moses may be able to lead, but Bezalel and his fellow wise-hearted men and women are able to create. Thankfully, Moses is humble enough to accept creative support and Moses and Bezalel and others are able to work together to create something new, and through it build a new future for the People of Israel.
Unfortunately, in Israel today we seem to be suffering from a political leadership that lacks not only wisdom of the heart but also the humility to admit its own shortcomings. We find ourselves now in the midst in yet another war in this land and in this region while so many of those who live here lack basic protections. Yet again our leaders have chosen to pursue violence and aggression as the primary means for achieving short-term aims, without heartfelt compassion for the human beings who live here and must face the consequences. Moreover, our leaders have failed to present a compelling (if any) long term vision, or a creative means of achieving it. Though the power of Israel’s military intelligence, technology, tactics and might may impress, in order to create a new reality we need more humility and more wisdom of the heart - from our leaders and from ourselves.
We need more creative imagination, the willingness to think with flexibility and openness and compassion, to envision a different, peaceful reality for all those who live here, and to find the means to work together toward the creation of that reality.
What is the meaning of the Menorah anyway? That is, the same Menorah, surrounded by olive branches as in Zechariah’s vision, that was chosen as the emblem of the State of Israel. Even Zechariah doesn’t know until a divine angel tells him its meaning: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit” (Zechariah 4:5). Might, power and tactical intelligence alone are capable of destruction, but in order to create something new one needs wisdom of the heart and spirit.
May we find within ourselves the spiritual strength and creative imagination to see beyond these trying times, and may we choose leaders endowed with the humility and wisdom of the heart needed to envision and create a new reality for all who live here, and may we merit to fulfill the vision of the prophet Ezekiel from last week’s Haftara: “I will give you a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 36:26).
Shabbat Shalom.
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Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg is an American-Canadian-Israeli Queer Jewish educator-activist whose work focuses on the intersection of Judaism and human rights. Elliot currently serves as a senior educator at BINA: The Home of Israeli Judaism; as part of his work, he oversees the Israel Summer Term for students of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). Elliot is also an affiliate faculty member at RRC. Elliot holds an M.A. in Jewish Education and an M.A. in Jewish Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary, is currently a rabbinical student at the Beit Midrash for Israeli Rabbis, and lives in Jaffa.
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayekhel-Pekudei, we arrive at the much awaited construction of the Tabernacle, the very first sanctuary of the Children of Israel, through which they are to gain ongoing closeness to the Divine Presence. One noteworthy aspect of the Tabernacle’s construction is that the work is performed not by one specific tribe or professional guild but rather by all those who are wise of heart (khakham/at lev - חכמ/ת לב), both men and women alike. The work is overseen by Bezalel and Ohaliab, who themselves have been especially endowed by the Divine with wisdom of the heart (khokhmat halev - חכמת הלב).
What exactly is this wisdom of the heart that is so critical to the building and assembly of the Tabernacle and all its sacred vessels - from the Ark of the Covenant to the Menorah to the curtain loops?
Wisdom of the heart is often understood as skill, particularly in the realm of craftmanship, whether in general or in a particular craft, as in someone who is “good with their hands”. This interpretation seems to make sense, as those endowed with this wisdom are tasked with the craft work of construction, weaving, assembly, et cetera. Yet why is it called wisdom of the heart rather than wisdom of the hand? What’s the heart got to do with it?
I believe a helpful clue may be found in a classic midrash that illuminates what distinguishes Bezalel - who is especially endowed with wisdom of the heart and thus tasked with overseeing the Tabernacle construction - from Moses - who is not. According to a midrash in Bamidbar Rabbah (15:10), Moses struggles with God’s instructions regarding the construction of the Menorah. God has to repeat the instructions multiple times and even present Moses with a miraculous fiery vision of the Menorah, and still Moses struggles - until God tells Moses to go to Bezalel so that Bezalel can make the Menorah.
And indeed Moses goes to Bezalel, relays the instructions, and Bezalel builds the Menorah immediately and exquisitely. Bezalel, who is not a prophet, does not converse directly with God, has not seen a miraculous fiery blueprint, but has wisdom of the heart, is able to proficiently and beautifully comprehend and carry out the task.
I would argue, therefore, that wisdom of the heart could be best described as creative imagination, that is, the ability to envision and to create something that does not yet exist in reality - a flexible form of thinking, a soft yet constructive intelligence. Moses is an exceptional leader, judge, and man of action and emotion. He is exceedingly humble, has a powerful moral compass, and is able to follow God’s instructions when they are clear and tangible. Yet he struggles to think outside of the box, to imagine and create something that does not yet exist. On the other hand, Bezalel and those like him, have a certain creative intelligence that enables them to envision and create something that they have never actually seen before - similar, arguably, to divine creation. Moses may be able to lead, but Bezalel and his fellow wise-hearted men and women are able to create. Thankfully, Moses is humble enough to accept creative support and Moses and Bezalel and others are able to work together to create something new, and through it build a new future for the People of Israel.
Unfortunately, in Israel today we seem to be suffering from a political leadership that lacks not only wisdom of the heart but also the humility to admit its own shortcomings. We find ourselves now in the midst in yet another war in this land and in this region while so many of those who live here lack basic protections. Yet again our leaders have chosen to pursue violence and aggression as the primary means for achieving short-term aims, without heartfelt compassion for the human beings who live here and must face the consequences. Moreover, our leaders have failed to present a compelling (if any) long term vision, or a creative means of achieving it. Though the power of Israel’s military intelligence, technology, tactics and might may impress, in order to create a new reality we need more humility and more wisdom of the heart - from our leaders and from ourselves.
We need more creative imagination, the willingness to think with flexibility and openness and compassion, to envision a different, peaceful reality for all those who live here, and to find the means to work together toward the creation of that reality.
What is the meaning of the Menorah anyway? That is, the same Menorah, surrounded by olive branches as in Zechariah’s vision, that was chosen as the emblem of the State of Israel. Even Zechariah doesn’t know until a divine angel tells him its meaning: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit” (Zechariah 4:5). Might, power and tactical intelligence alone are capable of destruction, but in order to create something new one needs wisdom of the heart and spirit.
May we find within ourselves the spiritual strength and creative imagination to see beyond these trying times, and may we choose leaders endowed with the humility and wisdom of the heart needed to envision and create a new reality for all who live here, and may we merit to fulfill the vision of the prophet Ezekiel from last week’s Haftara: “I will give you a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 36:26).
Shabbat Shalom.
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Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg is an American-Canadian-Israeli Queer Jewish educator-activist whose work focuses on the intersection of Judaism and human rights. Elliot currently serves as a senior educator at BINA: The Home of Israeli Judaism; as part of his work, he oversees the Israel Summer Term for students of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). Elliot is also an affiliate faculty member at RRC. Elliot holds an M.A. in Jewish Education and an M.A. in Jewish Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary, is currently a rabbinical student at the Beit Midrash for Israeli Rabbis, and lives in Jaffa.