Tetzaveh: The Framework of the Torah Two geometrical shapes jumped off the pages in Parsha Tetzaveh: frames of gold and pomegranates. What often happens when we read and study the richly textured layers of Torah is that a word, a phrase, a character, an incident, even a geometric design that we never encountered "before," suddenly appears. We just never saw it, even when it was there all along. Like the ram that was in the bushes, which Abraham didn't see until he really looked and saw what he needed to see. Why did the square frames and other geometric shapes resonate in me now?
The first shape is "frames of gold" (Exodus 28:11) which is then repeated in verse 13. The Hebrew word for "frames," mish-b'tzot, refers to a square frame. To set this phrase in context, let me fill you in on what is being commanded “tetzaveh”. The specifically detailed instructions as to the building of the Sanctuary, which began in ParshasTerumah, continue with the descriptions of the priest's vestments, the ephod and the breastplate. The directions indicate that on the ephod, which is to be made of gold, blue, purple, and crimson yarns, two lazuli stones are to be placed and engraved with the names of the sons of Israel. "Having bordered them with frames of gold, attach the two stones to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, as stones for remembrance of the Israelite people, whose names Aaron shall carry upon his two shoulder-pieces for remembrance before the Lord. Then make frames of gold and two chains of pure gold; braid these like corded work, and fasten the corded chains to the frames" (Exodus 28:11-14). Now while frames of gold may have some utilitarian purpose, these "frames of gold" must be there for another reason. But before revealing this "reason" that I have discovered, come first on a circuitous journey with me.
Clearly, this structure of a center with a frame is integral to Judaism. We can see this readily if we consider three Jewish structures-within-a-structures: a sacred place, a sacred page, and a sacred time. The sacred place is the first portable Sanctuary (Mishkan) that Israel is bidden to build with its wooden framework, with the inner space divided into the outer Court and its inner Court, which contained the Tabernacle separated into two chambers: the Holy Place with its square Altar of Incense; and the Holy of Holies, with its ark that will contain the tablets of stone. The detailed description for its construction takes up most of the last part of Exodus beginning with Chapter 25 (Terumah). It is also similar in structure to the First and Second Temples built in Jerusalem in later years.
The sacred time is Shabbat. "A continuous seven-day cycle that runs throughout history paying no attention whatsoever to the moon and its phases is a distinctively Jewish invention" (The Seven Day Circle, p. 11). And because of this disassociation of the seven-day week from nature, Shabbat is one of the most significant contributions of Judaism to civilization. With this regular periodicity, the Sabbath became a time for sacred observance while the rest of the week "frames" this special day like a jewel in a spiral ring. Therefore we are blessed with something from above more precious than physical jewels we therefore have to seize every Shabbat and make full use of it, and use it to learn and better ourselves so that we may better serve our blessed creator. |
