The building and dedication of the Mishkan as described in Vayakhel and Pekudei is a tidy literary counterweight to the sin of the Golden Calf. The Israelites eagerly donated gold to the building of a false god; now they hasten to contribute their wealth to construct a sanctuary for God Godself. This seems like it ought to be an unmitigated good. The Jews have sinned and have now been forgiven, and take up the instructions they have been given to channel their fervor towards God. They generously donate gold, silver, copper, fine yarns and skins, and gems. The women in particular spin the fine fibers into yarn to donate.
Thank you for making the connection between the art v. craft false dichotomy and the spiritually elevated v. maintenance work. It reminded me of the time I went to tovel some pots and had a chance to talk with the building super who was born in Guatamala and mystified at the (primarily) women bringing their pots and pans to the small pool. I hadn't really thought it through before, but, in talking to this outsider to Judaism, I realized what a novel concept it is. We immerse the pots to dedicate them to service of HaShem, at the altar/table in our temple/home. That kind of dedication is a direct connection to the extensive preparation that the Cohanim did for serving in Beit HaMikdash. It is the women who have taken over this maintenance, the women who have access to/responsibility for implements that we could choose to consider holy, could choose to fetishize in the same way that traditionally male religious items are honored. My soup pot feels ennobled.
Thank you for making the connection between the art v. craft false dichotomy and the spiritually elevated v. maintenance work. It reminded me of the time I went to tovel some pots and had a chance to talk with the building super who was born in Guatamala and mystified at the (primarily) women bringing their pots and pans to the small pool. I hadn't really thought it through before, but, in talking to this outsider to Judaism, I realized what a novel concept it is. We immerse the pots to dedicate them to service of HaShem, at the altar/table in our temple/home. That kind of dedication is a direct connection to the extensive preparation that the Cohanim did for serving in Beit HaMikdash. It is the women who have taken over this maintenance, the women who have access to/responsibility for implements that we could choose to consider holy, could choose to fetishize in the same way that traditionally male religious items are honored. My soup pot feels ennobled.