Vayak'hel means "assembly" and "community"; Pikudei connotes itemization and individuality. So these two Torah sections, which follow each other in the Book of Exodus and, on certain years, are even joined together to form a single reading, express the conflict, interaction and paradox of these two components of the human soul: a) our need and desire to bond together in a communal identity; b) our need and desire for an individual identity distinct and unique from our peers.

The Onion Plot

On Friday morning, one of the leading disciples of the Seer, Rabbi Naftali of Rofshitz, rose early as usual to make his way to the Rebbe's shul and pour out his heart in prayer to the Creator. On his way home he passed through the marketplace, where he came upon a peasant farmer with a sack filled with onions!

"Wow!" said Reb Naftali to himself, struck by a bold idea. "This is exactly the opportunity I've been waiting for!"

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ESSAY

Is G-d Religious?

Considering what we know about G-d, it would seem not. Nor would it seem that being religious will bring a person closer to G-d. If G-d transcends all limitation and definition, why would the way to relate to G-d be to impose further restriction and definition on our already finite and constricted lives?

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VOICES

Chassidic Feminist

The two terms are not mutually exclusive, though their combination is not without tension. As a Chassid, I live in a world of absolutes, the Torah world; I love that world and I knew it to be true. But I am also bothered by issues which, in this pre-Redemption era, have yet to be resolved. I am drawn to certain feminist polemics and compelled by certain arguments.

The Chassidic interpretation of Shir HaShirim, the Song of Songs, is particularly meaningful to me. Song of Songs speaks of a love between woman and man as a metaphor for the bond between G-d and the Jewish people. For the G-d /Jew relationship is not meant to be platonic. It calls for nothing less than a coupling of body and soul.

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POSTCARD FROM BRATISLAVA

When the Conference of European Rabbis sought to send a pointed protest message to the new government in Austria, they decided to re-locate next month's scheduled convention from Vienna to Bratislava, Slovakia.

The change in plans has sent Chabad-Lubavitch emissary Rabbi Boruch Myers scurrying about to organize for the rabbinical meeting. As the spiritual leader of the Jewish community of Bratislava, he suddenly became the de-facto host of the international conference.

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