B"H
Tuesday, Adar 18, 5785 / March 18, 2025
This week’s Parsha, Vayakhel and next week’s Parsha, Pekudei, (which in some years are read together), tell in great detail about the items which the people donated for the Mishkan-Tabernacle and how they were used to construct the Mishkan and all of its contents. These two Parshiot are mostly a repeat of the two Parshiot, Terumah and Tetzaveh, which we read a few weeks ago.
Q. What’s the connection between this Parsha, and the previous Parsha, Ki Tisa?
A. In the previous Parsha, Ki Tisa, we read the Story of the Golden Calf, the breaking of the Tablets as a result; Moshe’s prayers for G-d’s forgiveness and Moshe coming down with the Second Tablets on Yom Kippur.
This week’s Parsha, Vayakhel, begins with Moshe gathering the entire congregation and telling them about the donations and construction of the Mishkan. This gathering took place one day after Yom Kippur, the day in which G-d forgave the people for their sin of the Golden Calf. Thus, this Parsha is connected with the previous Parsha because the building of the Mishkan was a result of G-d’s forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf and to show them and the world that He forgave them.
Q. Every word, indeed, every letter, in the Torah is precise. Why is the story of the building of the Mishkan, G-d’s sanctuary and dwelling place, repeated in such great length in the Torah?
A. As mentioned, the building of the Mishkan was a sign of G-d’s forgiveness for the gravest sin committed by the Jewish people - the sin of worshipping the Golden Calf. The Mishkan is called, “Mishkan Ha’eidut” – “The Mishkan of Testimony.” It served as testimony that G-d forgave them for the sin of the Golden Calf. In order to prove that this sin was forgiven and show that His love for the Jewish people did not waver, G-d instructed Moshe to write about the Mishkan, in great length in the Torah.
Q. Moshe’s nephew, Betzalel, was in charge of the building of the Mishkan; The Torah says, “And Betzalel, son of Uri, son of Chur of the tribe of Yehuda, had made all that G-d had commanded Moshe.” How old was Betzalel when he took charge of building the Mishkan?
A. Betzalel was only thirteen years old when he built the Mishkan!
Q. The Mishkan was extremely heavy. How many people did it take to assemble it and put it up?
A. Moshe assembled and put it up by himself! This was a miracle in itself, for the weight of each of the beams of the Mishkan was beyond the capability of one person to lift. Moshe said to G-d, “How could one person erect it?” G-d said to Moshe, “You just put your hands to it and it will rise by itself.”
Lesson:Many times, G-d wants us to make the effort.. and then He takes care of the rest.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW