Diversity and Inclusion: The building blocks

Standing at the Western Wall late last week, I spoke with a Sikh from India raptured by the atmosphere around us (in particular, a large group of Chassidic Jews from the Breslov movement praying with song and fervor). It brought to mind the prophetic vision from Isaiah: “My House will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 

In synagogues all over the world, this week’s Torah reading (Exodus Ch. 25:1-27:19) opens with God inviting the people to open their hearts to contribute a veritable potpourri of color and materials:

“Gold, silver, and copper; turquoise, purple, crimson wool; linen and goat’s hair; ram’s skin dyed red, (multicolored) tachash skins, and acacia wood; oil… spices… shoham stones…” All of this would help “make a Sanctuary...and I will dwell among them.”

God continues to describe in detail how the Ark – the holiest vessel and focus of the Tabernacle - was to be built. Like the Tabernacle itself, it was to be a blend of various materials. Hammered out from the ends of the lid - from the same piece of metal - were two winged cherubim. These had both child-like and angelic features, perhaps representing the meeting of disparate entities: physicality and spirituality.

The verses continue to describe God’s instructions to include the "Testimony" inside the Ark. In time it would hold a whole set of Tablets alongside the fragments from the first set that Moses destroyed; we too must find ways to incorporate and embrace those that are broken under the same roof as those that appear whole. Along similar lines, it's noteworthy that unlike all other dimensions of objects/structures encountered in the Torah (e.g. the Menorah, Noah’s Ark etc.) the Ark is to be built with fractional measurements rather than whole numbers. Rabbi Yaakov Ben Asher (a.k.a. the Tur, 13th-14th century) explains this unusual phenomenon as indicating the need for humility when it comes to Torah (and perhaps all) knowledge; if we truly aspire to deepen our understanding of complex topics, we must be open to the possibility that we may carry biases and/or only see a fraction of the full picture. By challenging ourselves to remain open to the “other” - other people, possibilities, and varying viewpoints, we can gain greater perspective and depth in our understanding.                   

According to the Oral tradition (Mishna, Tractate Shekalim, compiled circa 3rd Century), at the time of the destruction of the 1st Temple (587 B.C.), the Ark was hidden away for protection in a tunnel under Lishkat HaEtzim (the Room of the Wood) in the southeastern corner of the Ezrat Nashim (Women’s Courtyard); the ultimate symbol/vessel of Torah, wisdom, and Divinity was – and is - safeguarded in the women’s domain. 

Embracing diversity doesn’t just enrich our experience, it is essential to building a Sanctuary. However old/young you are, whether you feel broken, are a different color than those around you, or feel that your essence is hidden away in a corner, the Ark and Tabernacle remind us that we all have a Divine spark within and can each make a private and collective contribution to the multicolored and multifaceted whole.