This is what it says in Exodus 26:3 literally.  Most translations are more along the lines of, “Five of the cloths shall be joined one to the other.”  This is the description of the Tabernacle that is being constructed in this week’s Torah portion. 

How glorious is this imagery!  “Five of the cloths shall be joined as a woman to her sister, and the other five cloths shall be joined as a woman to her sister.”  The Tabernacle, the dwelling of place of God in the wilderness is going to be within these tightly bound cloths, elaborately adorned with gold clasps and blue threads.

If only my brothers and sisters in the Jewish world could also see the beauty of womens’ gatherings and egalitarian gatherings together in prayer just as they value mens’ circles.  Then perhaps stories like this one wouldn’t be dominating the press.  Just as horrible, look what happened when Women of the Wall met on Monday morning.

There is much work to be done my brothers and sisters.