Bamidbar Rabbah 12, a section of the classic midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) text, wrestles with this very question, using the construction of the Tabernacle – the mishkan – as a lens. It all starts with a rather cryptic verse from Proverbs (30:4): “Who ascended heavenward and descended? Who gathered the wind in his fists? Who bound water in a garment? Who established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?”
The Rabbis of the Midrash unpack this verse in layers. Initially, it's interpreted as referring to God Himself. "Who ascended heavenward?" – that's the Holy One, blessed be He, echoed in the verse "God ascended with acclaim" (Psalms 47:6). "And descended?" – "The Lord descended upon Mount Sinai" (Exodus 19:20). "Who gathered the wind?" – well, God is "in whose hand is the life of every living being" (Job 12:10). You get the idea. Every phrase points back to the awesome power and majesty of the Divine. God's name, we're told, is Rock, Almighty, Lord of Hosts, and His son? "My son, My firstborn, Israel" (Exodus 4:22).
But the Midrash doesn't stop there. It cleverly layers another interpretation onto the same verse. "Who ascended heavenward?" This time, it's Elijah the prophet, who, as we know, "ascended heavenward in a storm" (II (Kings 2:1)1). "And descended?" – referring to when the angel of the Lord told Elijah, "Go down with him; do not fear" (II (Kings 1:1)5). And so on. Elijah, with his dramatic displays of power – controlling rain and even raising the dead – embodies the qualities described in Proverbs.
There's still more! The Midrash connects this verse to the importance of tzedakah, righteous giving, specifically the giving of tithes. "Who ascended heavenward and descended?" – the one whose prayers ascend and bring rain. "Who gathered the wind?" – the one who distributes tithes generously. In other words, our actions here on Earth directly impact the flow of blessing from above. If we're stingy, we're told, the rains will be withheld, and the land will suffer, echoing the curses in Deuteronomy (28:24): “The Lord will render the rain of your land dust and dirt."
And who first separated tithes? None other than Abraham, who "gave him a tithe from everything" (Genesis 14:20). Because of this, the Holy One granted him the heavens and the earth. And his son, Isaac, who also tithed, reaping a hundredfold harvest (Genesis 26:12). The message is clear: giving leads to abundance. "You shall tithe [aser te’aser]… tithe [aser] so you will become wealthy [shetitasher]."
Finally, the Midrash turns to Moses. "Who ascended heavenward?" – "Moses ascended to God" (Exodus 19:3). "And descended?" – "Moses descended from the mountain to the people" (Exodus 19:14). But the most intriguing connection is to the Tabernacle itself. Did Moses establish the ends of the earth? No, but he established the mishkan, the Tent of Meeting.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai, makes a powerful point: The Torah doesn't just say "erecting a Tabernacle [mishkan]"; it says "erecting the Tabernacle [et hamishkan]." That extra word, et, is significant. It implies a second Tabernacle, a tent within the tent, symbolizing the cosmic significance of this structure. Before the Tabernacle was erected, the world was unstable. Only with its construction was the world truly established and grounded.
So, what does it all mean? This passage from Bamidbar Rabbah invites us to see the world as interconnected. The actions of individuals, the giving of tithes, the construction of sacred spaces – all contribute to the stability and well-being of the cosmos. The Tabernacle, in this light, isn't just a physical structure; it's a symbol of our responsibility to create a world grounded in generosity, justice, and connection to the Divine. And maybe, just maybe, that's how we keep the winds gathered, the waters bound, and the earth firmly beneath our feet.
“Erecting the Tabernacle” – that is what is written: “Who ascended heavenward and descended? [Who gathered the wind in his fists? Who bound water in a garment? Who established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know]?” (Proverbs 30:4). “Who ascended heavenward?” – this is the Holy One blessed be He, in whose regard it is written: “God ascended with acclaim, the Lord…” (Psalms 47:6). “And descended” – “the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai” (Exodus 19:20). “Who gathered the wind?” – “in whose hand is the life of every living being” (Job 12:10). “Who bound [tzarar] water in a garment?” – “He, who amasses [tzorer] water in His clouds” (Job 26:8). “Who established all the ends of the earth?” – “The Lord puts to death and brings to life” (I Samuel 2:6). “What is his name?” His name is Rock, His name is Almighty, His name is Lord of Hosts. “And what is his son’s name, if you know?” “My son, My firstborn, Israel” (Exodus 4:22). Another matter: “Who ascended heavenward?” (Proverbs 30:4) – this is Elijah, in whose regard it is written: “Elijah ascended heavenward in a storm” (II Kings 2:11). “And descended” (Proverbs 30:4) – “[the angel of the Lord spoke to Elijah:] Go down with him; do not fear” (II Kings 1:15). “Who gathered the wind?” (Proverbs 30:4) – “as the Lord, God of Israel, before whom I stand, lives, there shall be neither dew nor rain during these years” (I Kings 17:1). “Who bound [tzarar] water in a garment?” (Proverbs 30:4) – “Elijah took his mantle, [rolled it up, and struck the water]” (II Kings 2:8). “Who established all the ends of the earth?” (Proverbs 30:4) – “Elijah said: See, your son lives” (I Kings 17:23). Another matter: “Who ascended heavenward and descended?” (Proverbs 30:4) – who is it whose prayer ascends heavenward and causes rain to fall, and by his merit wind blows to grow the grass, as it is stated: “Who gathered the wind [in his fists]?” (Proverbs 30:4). It is the one who distributes tithes in his fists; that is “in his fists.” Likewise it says: “Bring all the tithe to the storehouse, and let it be food in My house. Test Me now with this, said the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out an endless [ad beli dai] blessing for you” (Malachi 3:10), until your lips will be worn [yivlu] from saying enough [dai]. From where is it derived that winds are needed for grain? It is as it is written: “My lesson will fall as the rain, [my saying] will flow [like dew, like storm winds on grass, and like raindrops on vegetation]” (Deuteronomy 32:2). “Who bound water in a garment?” (Proverbs 30:4) – one who does not distribute his tithe with his fists, his prayers do not ascend heavenward and do not cause rain to fall; rather, it causes the water to amass in the clouds, and they do not fall to the ground. “Who established all the ends of the earth?” (Proverbs 30:4) – it is just as it says: “The Lord will render the rain of your land dust and dirt” (Deuteronomy 28:24). “What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you know?” (Proverbs 30:4). “What is his name?” – Abraham separated tithe first, as it is stated: “He gave him a tithe from everything” (Genesis 14:20), and the Holy One blessed be He granted him the heavens and earth. Why did he [Malkitzedek] bless him that God should grant him the heavens and earth? It was for his offspring. “And what is his son’s name?” – this is Isaac, who gave a tithe and was blessed, as it is stated: “Isaac sowed [in that land, and found in that year one hundredfold]” (Genesis 26:12). What is, “and found in that year one hundredfold [me’a she’arim]”? It teaches that he measured them in order to tithe them. “If you know” – likewise, the Holy One blessed be He exhorted Israel that if they tithe their grain, He will bless them with wealth, as it is stated: “You shall tithe [aser te’aser]…” (Deuteronomy 14:22); tithe [aser] so you will become wealthy [shetitasher]. Another matter: “Who ascended heavenward?” (Proverbs 30:4) – this is Moses, in whose regard it is written: “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3). “And descended” (Proverbs 30:4) – “Moses descended from the mountain to the people” (Exodus 19:14). “Who gathered wind in his fists?” (Proverbs 30:4) – “As I leave the city, I will spread [my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease and the hail will be no longer]” (Exodus 9:29). “Who bound water in a garment?” (Proverbs 30:4) – “flowing water stood upright like a wall” (Exodus 15:8). “Who established all the ends of the earth?” (Proverbs 30:4) – did Moses establish the ends of the earth? Rather, he established the Tent of Meeting, with which the world was established. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: It is not written here: Erecting a Tabernacle [mishkan], but rather, “erecting the Tabernacle [et hamishkan.]”42The extraneous word et is expounded to include a second Tabernacle. A second Tabernacle was erected with it that is called a tent, just as the Tabernacle is called the Tent of Meeting, just as it says: “He stretched them like a tent in which to dwell” (Isaiah 40:22). Until the Tabernacle was erected, the world was unsteady. Once the Tabernacle was erected, the world was stabilized. That is why it is stated: “Erecting the Tabernacle [et hamishkan].”
