Pekude, Exodus 38:21-40:38

The Breastplate of Aaron; the Garb of the Priests

The skeptics have told us flatly, "There is no scientific evidence that crystals are conduits of magical energies useful for healing and protection," and that we "can dismiss the pre-scientific belief" in the magical powers of crystals, gems, and other sorts of stones. Yet, the ancients--and many moderns--still believe otherwise, that rocks in their various natural and crafted states, have unique powers that human beings can utilize.

I’m not so dismissive as the skeptic, nor am I a scientist capable of explaining electromagnetic forces; I certainly look upon the sellers of magic wands and body-therapies based on hot rocks with something of a raised brow. If stones offered us nothing other than their beauty, this would hold considerable emotional and spiritual power over our consciousness, and in some ways that’s enough.

Today’s Torah portion, Pekude, is redolent of blue, purple, and crimson dyes, fine linen cloth and leathers from animal-skins, yarns spun of gold threads. The sacred robes the priests  wear are being designed for the moment these men open the sheet of the Tent of Meeting. The costume they wear can only be described as splendiferous.

For those who love to watch the Oscar’s and fashion shows, there is an incredible surge to seeing beautiful or handsome human beings dressed exquisitely.

Lapis Lazuli

In nature, it is usually the partner who wishes to attract a mate that is the most gorgeous in coloring and design, and as the reproductive season intensifies, so does depth and clarity of color, the fullness and shine of a coat. And is there not a kind of magic in this?

Just what were the priests up to in their fine frocks? After leaving Egypt, what a rag-tag army we must have been crossing the desert floor in our late-gathered rags of enslavement. Wouldn’t we want to have a nice new dress for our recovering faith?

And that breastplate. The subject of many mystical and not-too-mystical speculations throughout the years. Fixed into three rows were three sets of unusual stones, each one to become identified as one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Seen by some to have been the beginning of the birthstone concept.

Well, humans are makers of meaning, and creatures of fantasy, spinning yarns of the imagination along with the fabrics we have woven. If the properties ascribed to stones by the ancients, with their formulas of wisdom, did not meet the rigors of scientific verification, we do not have to deny the magic that rocks held for our ancestors and for us.

I think, here, of all my ancestors--the Jewish ones with the breastplate of Aaron and the resting stone for Jacob’s ladder--and my Celtic and British ones, with their amazing standing stones found throughout western Europe, undecipherable in their ultimate meaning. 

It takes a lot of work to create a gem from a raw, rough-edged rock, and it takes a lot of work to lug megalithic stones miles from the quarries where they were found to places where the become Stonehenge or the Ring of Brodgar. I have to put my faith in the power that motivated these peoples. They were trying to attract some kind of raw energy. Perhaps, God?