In our parasha for the very first time, Moses calls the people together. He does not do so in the face of Amalek or another enemy. War is not Moses’s method of unity. Rather, he calls upon all of Israel and starts to tell them of Shabbat and of donating to the Tabernacle.
The ideal of gathering in Judaism is to do it for joy – to celebrate, to worship, or simply to feel the glow of another’s presence. But over the centuries Jews have also gathered for solidarity. In an often hostile world, rather than dissipating and leaving one another alone, we have found strength in coming together both with other Jews and friends of goodwill who stand beside us.
This week at ADL’s major conference, “Never is Now,” we saw thousands of hopeful, resolute, and passionate Jews and non-Jews join one another in New York to insist on the vitality of our tradition and the resolution to fight hate.
Here we bring together speakers from across the range of cultural and political trends in the U.S. We open ourselves to listen and to engage. We are here to sharpen our skills in the unending practice of confronting antisemitism and other forms of hate that plague our society. By being present we pledge to be both witnesses and catalysts for change.
In Vayakhel, the Israelites build the tabernacle. The Torah highlights Bezalel, the artist whose skill was essential to the sacred task. It reminds us that creativity, artistry and care must be taken in the great tasks of life. The way we design our discussions with one another should be a product of creativity as well as kindness.
As Vayakhel reminds us, we have gathered since ancient times – conferences are nothing new on the Jewish calendar! All of us need to feel our community, our closeness, our common cause – to move forward together. It was not easy in the time of Moses and it has not grown easier in our own day. But we are still responsible for one another and we still have to hold hands on our way through the wilderness.
