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<h1>Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Vayakhel</h1> | <h1>Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Vayakhel</h1> | ||
<div><b><center><span class="highlighted-notice">This topic has not yet undergone editorial review</span></center></b></div> | <div><b><center><span class="highlighted-notice">This topic has not yet undergone editorial review</span></center></b></div> | ||
+ | <category>Change of Plans | ||
+ | <p>Was sacrificial worship in the Tabernacle always part of Hashem's plans?</p><ul> | ||
+ | <li><multilink><a href="SfornoMaamarKavvanotHaTorah6-13" data-aht="source">Sforno</a><a href="SfornoMaamarKavvanotHaTorah6-13" data-aht="source">Maamar Kavvanot HaTorah 6:13</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Sforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Sforno</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="HoilMosheShemot20-20" data-aht="source">Hoil Moshe</a><a href="HoilMosheShemot20-20" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:20</a><a href="R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi (Hoil Moshe)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi</a></multilink> suggest that though Hashem had always wanted a sacrificial service, he had not wanted to limit it to any individual group or place, preferring to be worshiped via private altars rather than in a centralized Tabernacle.  Only after the Sin of the Golden Calf did He decide that the nation was not capable of such worship and instead needed limitations and safeguards. </li> | ||
+ | <li><multilink><a href="AbarbanelYirmeyahu7" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelYirmeyahu7" data-aht="source">Yirmeyahu 7</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, in contrast, suggests that Hashem's original plan included a Tabernacle as a vehicle through which the nation would feel Hashem's presence, but not sacrifices. After the Sin of the Golden Calf, however, Hashem added a sacrificial component to facilitate the atonement process.</li> | ||
+ | </ul><p>Is it possible that Hashem changed His mind, or that a Torah commandment was relevant only for a particular era?<fn>Can you think of other cases in which an intervening event might have led to a change in Hashem's original plan? See Rashbam on <a href="The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe" data-aht="page">The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe</a>. What other commandments might be understood to pertain to just one era? For two examples, see Hoil Moshe on<a href=""עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן" – An Eye for an Eye" data-aht="page">"עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן" – An Eye for an Eye</a> and Rambam on <a href="Purpose of the Sacrifices" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Sacrifices</a>.</fn>  What textual difficulties might such a suggestion resolve?<fn>The Hoil Moshe uses his explanation to account for the discrepancy in the laws regarding the altar in <a href="Shemot20-20-22" data-aht="source">Shemot 20</a> and <a href="Shemot27-1-8" data-aht="source">Shemot 27</a>.</fn> What theological difficulties does it raise?  See <a href="Altars of Earth, Stone, and Wood" data-aht="page">Altars of Earth, Stone, and Wood</a> and <a href="Purpose of the Mishkan" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Mishkan</a>.</p> | ||
+ | </category> | ||
+ | <category>Does Hashem Need a House? | ||
+ | <p>As God has no need for shelter, light, bread, or meat, why did He command the Children of Israel to construct the Tabernacle and its accompanying vessels? See Purpose of the Mishkan.</p><ul> | ||
+ | <li>According to <multilink><a href="RambanShemot25Introduction" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanShemot25Introduction" data-aht="source">Shemot 25 Introduction</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, the Mishkan served to house Hashem's presence and facilitated the continuation of the Divine revelation which began at Mt. Sinai. Does this imply that God can be contained in a physical structure? What does it suggest about the concept of "sacred space"; are certain locations holier than others? Finally, how would having Hashem literally in one's midst affect one's relationship with Him?</li> | ||
+ | <li><multilink><a href="ShadalShemot25-1" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalShemot25-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 25:1</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink> suggests that the Tabernacle enhanced man's relationship with not only Hashem but also with his fellow man. By providing a centralized location for all to gather in their worship of Hashem, the Mishkan served to unify the nation. What are other benefits of centralization? What are some of the downsides?</li> | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
+ | </category> | ||
+ | <category>Of Tables, Bread, and Covenants | ||
+ | <p>We often look for symbolic meaning in rituals or religious objects. What symbolism might lie behind the ark, table, candelabrum, and incense altar?</p><ul> | ||
+ | <li><multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot25" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot25" data-aht="source">Shemot 25</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink> proposes that the ark symbolizes the Torah, while the other vessels represent the physical (table), intellectual (menorah) and spiritual (incense altar) rewards granted to those who observe the Torah's commandments. Do you find his suggestion compelling? Why or why not? See <a href="Purpose of the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim</a></li> | ||
+ | </ul><p>What role does eating play in religious life? How many rites or commandments mandate partaking of food?</p><ul> | ||
+ | <li>In the time of Tanakh, meals were often connected to signing covenantal agreements,<fn>See <a href="ANE:Treaties in Tanakh and the Ancient Near East" data-aht="page">Treaties in Tanakh and the Ancient Near East</a>.</fn> serving the same function as a handshake might today. In light of this, R. Hovav Yechieli<fn>See R. Hovav Yechieli, <a href="http://herzogpress.herzog.ac.il/gilayon.asp?gilh=%D7%9E%D7%93&ktav=1&gil=44">"תערך לפני שלחן – השולחן ולחם הפנים"</a>, Megadim 44 (5766): 33-49.</fn> suggests that the Lechem HaPanim constituted a covenant sealing meal which continuously renewed the Covenant of Sinai.  What textual or conceptual support can you bring for this reading? See <a href="Purpose of the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Shulchan</a>.</li> | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
+ | </category> | ||
+ | <category>More... | ||
+ | <p>For more, see: <a href="Parashat Vayakhel/TopicList" data-aht="page">Parashat Vayakhel Topics</a>.</p> | ||
+ | </category> | ||
+ | |||
+ | </page> | ||
+ | </aht-xml> |
Latest revision as of 11:51, 28 January 2023
Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Vayakhel
Change of Plans
Was sacrificial worship in the Tabernacle always part of Hashem's plans?
- Sforno and Hoil Moshe suggest that though Hashem had always wanted a sacrificial service, he had not wanted to limit it to any individual group or place, preferring to be worshiped via private altars rather than in a centralized Tabernacle. Only after the Sin of the Golden Calf did He decide that the nation was not capable of such worship and instead needed limitations and safeguards.
- Abarbanel, in contrast, suggests that Hashem's original plan included a Tabernacle as a vehicle through which the nation would feel Hashem's presence, but not sacrifices. After the Sin of the Golden Calf, however, Hashem added a sacrificial component to facilitate the atonement process.
Is it possible that Hashem changed His mind, or that a Torah commandment was relevant only for a particular era?1 What textual difficulties might such a suggestion resolve?2 What theological difficulties does it raise? See Altars of Earth, Stone, and Wood and Purpose of the Mishkan.
Does Hashem Need a House?
As God has no need for shelter, light, bread, or meat, why did He command the Children of Israel to construct the Tabernacle and its accompanying vessels? See Purpose of the Mishkan.
- According to Ramban, the Mishkan served to house Hashem's presence and facilitated the continuation of the Divine revelation which began at Mt. Sinai. Does this imply that God can be contained in a physical structure? What does it suggest about the concept of "sacred space"; are certain locations holier than others? Finally, how would having Hashem literally in one's midst affect one's relationship with Him?
- Shadal suggests that the Tabernacle enhanced man's relationship with not only Hashem but also with his fellow man. By providing a centralized location for all to gather in their worship of Hashem, the Mishkan served to unify the nation. What are other benefits of centralization? What are some of the downsides?
Of Tables, Bread, and Covenants
We often look for symbolic meaning in rituals or religious objects. What symbolism might lie behind the ark, table, candelabrum, and incense altar?
- Abarbanel proposes that the ark symbolizes the Torah, while the other vessels represent the physical (table), intellectual (menorah) and spiritual (incense altar) rewards granted to those who observe the Torah's commandments. Do you find his suggestion compelling? Why or why not? See Purpose of the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim
What role does eating play in religious life? How many rites or commandments mandate partaking of food?
- In the time of Tanakh, meals were often connected to signing covenantal agreements,3 serving the same function as a handshake might today. In light of this, R. Hovav Yechieli4 suggests that the Lechem HaPanim constituted a covenant sealing meal which continuously renewed the Covenant of Sinai. What textual or conceptual support can you bring for this reading? See Purpose of the Shulchan.
More...
For more, see: Parashat Vayakhel Topics.