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> Exodus/Shemot > Parashat Vayakhel/Pekudei
Vayakhel, Pekudei, Hachodesh: The Holy Triumvirate
The book of Exodus comes to a
close this week. As we look back, it
speaks of 3 very strong leaders. At the outset of the book, we had
encountered some very strong women, among them, Miriam, sister of Moshe,
who, through her efforts, saved the savior, Moshe. The midwives, one of
whom may also have been Miriam, also saved the day. Many wives also risked
their lives to have children in Egypt. Some of the ingredients of the
charoset on Pesach recall the women's heroism. Our Rabbis teach that it
was in the merit of our matriarchs that our ancestors were redeemed from
Egypt. This point has legal ramifications, as the rabbis ordained that the
women partake of the 4 cups at the Seder since they too played a prominent
role in the Exodus.
As the book unfolds, clearly Moshe rises to great prominence. However, he
is forever with Aharon, his brother, at his side. He joins Moshe in all
his encounters with Pharaoh, even initiating some of the plagues, and
ultimately, this week, he is inaugurated as the High Priest, the Cohen
Gadol. His role in the book is consistent.
What happened to the role of women as this book comes to a close? What
happened to the role of Miriam, after all, the prophet Micah (6, 4)
writes "And I sent you Moshe Aharon and Miriam." Spanish exegete
Ibn Ezra, (Ex. 4, 27) writes that Moses was sent to Pharaoh and
Aharon was sent before hand to Israel, and Miriam to the women. Miriam was
leading the women at the splitting of the sea. Where is she as the book
closes? We haven't heard about her for weeks?
The women clearly continue their prominent role as they are noted
particularly for their generosity to the tabernacle. They did not
participate, say the Rabbis, in the making of the Golden Calf, and they
did contribute even their most valued possessions for the sake of
the
new sanctuary. They gave their private mirrors, earrings and "every
woman of a wise heart wove with her hands. They brought precious dyed
clothing, which was as expensive as gold back then. And where is Miriam?
She herself is not to be found, but according to the Rabbis, Hur is
married to Miriam, and their grandson, Bezalel, the great architect and
artist, was the chief engineer of the tabernacle. The role of Moses,
Aharon, and Miriam, continued throughout the book. We as a people need the
contributions of the scholars (Moses), the good hearted (Aharon), and the
creative (Miriam and Bezalel) in making Israel a great nation.
It is this combined effort which merited the Divine Presence in our
tabernacle. |
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