Our story begins with a seemingly simple verse from Exodus 36:8: "All the wise hearted among those who performed the labor crafted the Tabernacle: ten tapestries of spun linen and sky blue, purple, and scarlet wool, with artfully-crafted cherubs, they made them.” But within these words, the ancient rabbis found a powerful metaphor for the enduring love between God and Israel.
Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, takes this verse and connects it to the passionate words of the Song of Songs: "Many waters cannot extinguish love" (Song of Songs 8:7). Intriguing, right? So, what are these "many waters"?
According to the Midrash, these "many waters" represent the idolaters, the forces that seek to undermine the relationship between God and Israel. As it says in Isaiah 17:12: "Woe, the uproar of many nations, like the roar of seas will they roar." Imagine the sheer force of a raging ocean. That’s the kind of opposition we’re talking about. Yet, even that immense pressure, the Midrash insists, cannot extinguish the divine love.
Because, as the prophet Malachi declares (Malachi 1:2), "And I loved Jacob."
But the Song of Songs doesn’t stop there. It continues, "And rivers cannot wash it away" (Song of Songs 8:7). Who are these "rivers"? Shemot Rabbah identifies them as the Chaldeans, a powerful empire that threatened Israel. The prophets often referred to the Euphrates River as simply "the River," a symbol of overwhelming force. Isaiah 8:7 describes it as "The mighty and abundant waters of the River upon them, the king of Assyria" (remember, the Chaldeans were part of the Assyrian Empire).
So, we have idolaters as raging seas, empires as mighty rivers… it sounds pretty bleak, doesn't it? What hope is there against such overwhelming forces?
The answer, according to the Midrash, lies in the dedication and love shown by the Israelites in building the Tabernacle. The Song of Songs continues: "Were a man to give all the wealth of his house for love, they would scorn him" (Song of Songs 8:7). But Israel didn't just offer wealth; they offered their skill, their artistry, their very hearts to create a Sanctuary for God. They spun the linen, dyed the wool, and crafted the cherubs with meticulous care and devotion.
And what was the result of this labor of love? God descended and dwelled in their midst. As Exodus 40:35 tells us: "Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting…and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle." God’s presence, the Shekhinah, filled the space created by their loving hands.
Think about that for a moment. Despite the "many waters" and the "rivers" threatening to wash away their faith, the Israelites remained steadfast in their love for God. And that love, manifested in the creation of the Tabernacle, created a space for divine presence to dwell.
So, what does this ancient story tell us today? Perhaps it's a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming challenges, our love, our dedication, our acts of creation can build a space for the divine to dwell within our lives. It’s a powerful testament to the enduring strength of a love that cannot be extinguished, a love that transcends time and circumstance.