PARASHAT Vayakhel Shabbat Pekude Shabbat Hachodesh

This week's Torah Gems were prepared by

Francine Aaron

PARASHAT Vayakhel
Shabbat Pekude
Shabbat Hachodesh



* Vayikhal starts with work, when it should be done (six days) and when it should not be done (on the seventh, Shabbat). We are commanded two things - to work and to cease from work. Sometimes people forget the first part - to work. The Torah frowns upon laziness.

* The practicality of the Torah is wonderful, and brings on a smile. In chapter 39 sentence 23, in the directions for the hole necessary for the head opening of a robe, we are told to put a binding around the edges of the hole so that it won't tear. Those of us who sew have taken this suggestion and we buy seam binding for this purpose; two sentences later we are told that the hem of the robe should have embroidered pomegranates with a gold bell in between each pomegranate. Just in case we didn't understand, the next sentence describes specifically: bell, pomegranate, bell, pomegranate. That's nice. Very user friendly.

* The work involved in building the tabernacle and the furniture and equipment and robes was truly a labor of love. The word "heart" (lev) is mentioned 12 times: Chapter 35, sentence 5; 10; 21; 22; 25; 26; 29; 34. Chapter 36, sentence 1; and 3 times in sentence 2.

* Those who think that the details of the building of the tabernacle and its equipment are superfluous should try to describe their work desk in words, so that it can be taken apart and reconstructed in the exact way.

* Artists play an important role in these chapters. Bezalel (which means in the shadow of God) is described as being filled with the spirit of God, and is wise of heart, and has wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Wise of heart - courageous (French - coeur - heart). It takes courage to be an artist, to make choices, and to be confident of one's choice. This is a gift (spirit) of God given to all those who create.

* Vayikhal relates closely to our synagogue Kehillath Israel. The same root "kahal" (congregation; assembly) is in both. Hopefully just as in Vayikhal when the Israelites gave their time, and services, and donations willingly and from the heart, so too may we at Kehillath Israel give willingly of our time and donations to our synagogue and to all good causes, and may we too get to the point where we can say like Moses (36:6) Enough, Enough - we don't need any more.