Evergreen

The Israelites bring so many materials for the construction of the Tabernacle that Moses tells them to stop; Bezalel and Oholiab, gifted craftspeople, construct the elements of the Tabernacle.

Our tables, symbolic altars, become tools in our quest for sacredness when we share them with the poor and marginalized.

The connections between building the Tabernacle and Yom Kippur reminds us that all aspects of our spirituality are connected.

Holiness is not limited to one sphere.

The many interpretations of the tachash remind us to look beyond surface appearances for spiritual intensity.

God continues describing the Tabernacle to Moses; the people worship the Golden Calf, Moses pleads on their behalf, and God forgives them.

The menorah teaches that each of us has a unique gift to contribute to the world.

Moses informs the people of numerous ethical and ritual laws and seals the covenant between the Children of Israel and God.

In claiming power over human lives, a murderer denies that God alone possesses that power.

While it's easy to complain about poor leadership, Parashat Mishpatim challenges us to critique from a committed, engaged perspective.