Ki Tissa has many different elements on which to speak. It deals with the Tent of Meeting (divm lhva Ohel Moed) Shabbat, the golden calf, and seeing the face of G-d (Sar Panim, G-d's presence) but for today I will focus on the Tent of Meeting. It is important to note that the Scriptures are not necessarily in chronological order. For example, if it were a chronological account, the story of the golden calf would have been just after chapter 24 instead of being placed between chapters 31 and 34. It comes right after the description of how we are to make the "Ohel Moed". We see the immaturity of the Hebrews at this point because the moment they began to fear that Moses would not return, they cried out to Aaron to build them a god that they could follow in his place. Rabbi Nachmanides said that G-d gave the people of Israel the Ohel Moed because they needed a focal point for G-d so that they would not turn to paganism again.

We see in chapter 31:3 the two men who are called by G-d as artisans…Betzalel of the tribe of Judah and Aholiab of the tribe of Dan. Betzalel means "the shadow or the covering of G-d" and Aholiab means "tent of my father". The idea has developed throughout the years that Dan was eliminated from the twelve tribes because he was evil and always involved with idolatry. Here G-d chooses one from the tribe of tribes, Judah to work with the worst of the tribes as his assistant. He calls them, puts his spirit in them giving them wisdom, intelligence and knowledge. The three words draw together three aspects of our calling-wisdom "chachmah" hmkx is a gift of G-d; understanding hnb is part of our nature and knowledge tid is acquired through diligent study and hard work. This is a practical message. When G-d calls us, like with Betzalel and Aholiab, he gives us the spiritual gift we need to get the job done. We then need to respond by allowing our natural talents and intelligence to play a part and of course, we are required to study under a teacher to learn what we need to perfect our skill.

The picture of the Ohel Moed refers to the body, our own tent. One day, the tent will be replaced by the Temple in which G-d would dwell. Again allegorically, as in Ezekiel 36, G-d would put his spirit in us so that we would be able to walk by his statutes and no one would have to teach us about Him. Rabbi Shaul (Apostle Paul) uses this picture saying that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is not a new idea. It began here in the book of Exodus and became clearer when Rabbi Shaul spoke about it. He was not bringing a new message but was explaining as a Rabbi would, in the Hebrew context.

Rabbi Abarbanel explains that Ezekiel's Temple is an allegorical Temple and not a real one. He said that it really means that we would be in the presence of G-d. This is similar to what Rabbi Shaul was saying…that we will all one day be part of the Temple in Jerusalem in the presence of G-d.

We are chosen as T'rumah, special offerings as part of the temple of the Ruach ha Kodesh. When we all come together, G-d is there.

What part of the Temple are you? What is the part that G-d is calling you to do? Rabbi Shaul speaks about this in 1 Corinthians 12, that we are all a part of one body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Each of us is a very important part in G-d's kingdom.

Are you too busy doing your own thing to really find out what G-d wants from you? Are you doing your own will or His?

Sometimes we have difficulty allowing ourselves to follow His will for our lives because it reminds us of the struggle we had when our parents, teachers or bosses would tell us what to do. There would be an instant desire to rebel. It is the same with G-d. Our challenge is to change paradigms. Instead of believing that G-d is a party pooper, we need to see that He only wants the best for us. It is a process to change these attitudes which we have. We need to ask G-d for trust and faith and be willing to die to ourselves. As Yeshua said :"…and anyone who does not take up his execution-stake and follow me is not worthy of me, whosoever find his own life will lose it, but the person who loses his life for my sake will find it…" (Matt 10: 38-39).

G-d will never abandon us and there will be great joy and satisfaction in obeying His will. May we all allow ourselves to trust Him and step into His plan for our lives!

     Rabbi Percy Johnson
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