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P’kudei – פְקוּדֵי (Exodus 38:21-40:38)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: P’kudei – פְקוּדֵי (Exodus 38:21-40:38)

וַיְכַ֥ס הֶעָנָ֖ן אֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וּכְב֣וֹד יְהֹוָ֔ה מָלֵ֖א אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Presence of Adonai filled the entire Mishkan/worship space… – Exodus 40:34

At the very end of the Book of Exodus, the Presence of Adonai fills the Mishkan, the worship space, so completely that Moses isn’t even able to enter the Tent of Meeting until the Presence of Adonai, in the form of a cloud, lifts from upon it. Only after this moment are the Israelites ready to set out on their journey over the course of the next three books of the Torah. In both difficult and joyous times, may we all be reminded that we are never alone – we have our community and we have God to support us when we are down and celebrate with us when we are lifted up.

Parsha P’kudei – פְקוּדֵי Torah Summary:

A statistical summary of the materials used for the Tabernacle and an account of producing the priestly vestments are recorded. Moses blesses the Israelites for the work they did. (38:21-39:42) Upon God’s instruction, Moses sets up the Mishkan and the priests are anointed and consecrated. (40:1-33) A description is given of a cloud that covers the Mishkan by day and a fire that burns by night, indicating God’s Presence therein. (40:33-38) P’kudei – פְקוּדֵי וַיְכַ֥ס הֶעָנָ֖ן אֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וּכְב֣וֹד יְהֹוָ֔ה מָלֵ֖א אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃ Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Presence of Adonai filled the entire Mishkan/worship space… – Exodus 40:34 At the very end of the Book of Exodus, the Presence of Adonai fills the Mishkan, the worship space, so completely that Moses isn’t even able to enter the Tent of Meeting until the Presence of Adonai, in the form of a cloud, lifts from upon it. Only after this moment are the Israelites ready to set out on their journey over the course of the next three books of the Torah. In both difficult and joyous times, may we all be reminded that we are never alone – we have our community and we have God to support us when we are down and celebrate with us when we are lifted up.

Vayak’heil – וַיַּקְהֵל (Exodus 35:1–38:20)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayak’heil – וַיַּקְהֵל (Exodus 35:1–38:20)

וְכׇל־חֲכַם־לֵ֖ב בָּכֶ֑ם יָבֹ֣אוּ וְיַעֲשׂ֔וּ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖ה יְהֹוָֽה׃

Then, may all who have wisdom in their heart, come and make all that Adonai has instructed… — Exodus 35:10

By repeating the phrase chacham-lev, wisom of the heart, in multiple Torah Portions now, the Torah reminds us that we make the biggest difference in our world and we maintain our relationship with God best when we listen to the wisdom and the intentions of our hearts. May we all have the wisdom of heart to continue the sacred task of Tikkun Olam, of repairing our world with the help of one another and of God.

Parsha Vayak’heil – וַיַּקְהֵל Torah Summary:

Moses teaches the rules of Shabbat. (35:1-3) Moses asks the Israelites for a donation of gifts and those who are skilled help build the Mishkan [Tabernacle] under the direction of Bezalel and Oholiab. (35:4-38:20) vayak’heil – וַיַּקְהֵל וְכׇל־חֲכַם־לֵ֖ב בָּכֶ֑ם יָבֹ֣אוּ וְיַעֲשׂ֔וּ אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖ה יְהֹוָֽה׃ Then, may all who have wisdom in their heart, come and make all that Adonai has instructed… — Exodus 35:10 By repeating the phrase chacham-lev, wisom of the heart, in multiple Torah Portions now, the Torah reminds us that we make the biggest difference in our world and we maintain our relationship with God best when we listen to the wisdom and the intentions of our hearts. May we all have the wisdom of heart to continue the sacred task of Tikkun Olam, of repairing our world with the help of one another and of God.

Ki Tisa – כִּי תִשָּׂא (Exodus 30:11−34:35)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Ki Tisa – כִּי תִשָּׂא (Exodus 30:11−34:35)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה פְּסׇל־לְךָ֛ שְׁנֵֽי־לֻחֹ֥ת אֲבָנִ֖ים כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֑ים וְכָתַבְתִּי֙ עַל־הַלֻּחֹ֔ת אֶ֨ת־הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֛וּ עַל־הַלֻּחֹ֥ת הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר שִׁבַּֽרְתָּ׃

Then Adonai said to Moses: “Carve for yourself two tablets of stone, just like the first, and I will write upon the tablets the words which were on the first ones, which you shattered. – Exodus 34:1

When Moses comes down the mountain and sees the people worshipping the golden calf, he destroys the first set of Tablets that God personally created for us. After a heated exchange with the people, Moses goes back up the mountain and God tells him to carve the second set of Tablets. While the first set of Tablets were a nice gift from God, the true gift was making the second set together with God. May we all have the courage to continually co-create with God, taking on the responsibility of making our world a better place.

Parsha Ki Tisa – כִּי תִשָּׂא Torah Summary:

Moses takes a census of the Israelites and collects a half-shekel from each person (30:11-16) God tells Moses to construct a water basin and to prepare anointing oil and incense for the ordination of the priests. Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled artisans, are assigned to make objects for the priests and the Tabernacle. (30:17-31:11) The Israelites are instructed to keep Shabbat as a sign of their covenant with God. God gives Moses the two tablets of the Pact. (31:12-18) The Israelites ask Aaron to build them a Golden Calf. Moses implores God not to destroy the people and then breaks the two tablets of the Pact on which the Ten Commandments are written when he sees the idol. God punishes the Israelites by means of a plague. (32:1-35) Moses goes up the mountain with a blank set of tablets for another 40 days so that God will again inscribe the Ten Commandments. Other laws, including the edict to observe the Pilgrimage Festivals, are also revealed. (34:1-28) Moses comes down from the mountain with a radiant face. (34:29-35) Ki Tisa – כִּי תִשָּׂא וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה פְּסׇל־לְךָ֛ שְׁנֵֽי־לֻחֹ֥ת אֲבָנִ֖ים כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֑ים וְכָתַבְתִּי֙ עַל־הַלֻּחֹ֔ת אֶ֨ת־הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֛וּ עַל־הַלֻּחֹ֥ת הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר שִׁבַּֽרְתָּ׃ Then Adonai said to Moses: “Carve for yourself two tablets of stone, just like the first, and I will write upon the tablets the words which were on the first ones, which you shattered. – Exodus 34:1 When Moses comes down the mountain and sees the people worshipping the golden calf, he destroys the first set of Tablets that God personally created for us. After a heated exchange with the people, Moses goes back up the mountain and God tells him to carve the second set of Tablets. While the first set of Tablets were a nice gift from God, the true gift was making the second set together with God. May we all have the courage to continually co-create with God, taking on the responsibility of making our world a better place.

T’tzaveh – תְּצַוֶּה (Exodus 27:20−30:10)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: T’tzaveh – תְּצַוֶּה (Exodus 27:20−30:10)

וְאַתָּ֗ה תְּדַבֵּר֙ אֶל־כׇּל־חַכְמֵי־לֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִלֵּאתִ֖יו ר֣וּחַ חׇכְמָ֑ה וְעָשׂ֞וּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֧י אַהֲרֹ֛ן לְקַדְּשׁ֖וֹ לְכַהֲנוֹ־לִֽי׃

Then, you shall instruct all those with wisdom in their heart, those filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they shall make the clothing of Aaron, sanctifying him to serve Me as priest. – Exodus 28:3

Aaron and his sons are tasked with the sacred obligation of carrying out sacrifices to Adonai, but they could only do that if they wore the special clothing that the people made for them. All of the worship of Adonai through sacrifices in the Torah comes from the people with chachmei-lev, wisdom in their hearts. May we all listen to the wisdom of our own hearts so we can live the meaningful Jewish lives we all long for!

Parsha T’tzaveh – תְּצַוֶּה Torah Summary:

Make sacral vestments for your brother Aaron (The high priest), for dignity and adornment” (Exodus 28:2) The clothes might be making the person. But it should depend on our actions if we deserve dignity and adornment. Just because someone is in a position of power does not mean they deserve dignity or respect. T’tzaveh – תְּצַוֶּה וְאַתָּ֗ה תְּדַבֵּר֙ אֶל־כׇּל־חַכְמֵי־לֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִלֵּאתִ֖יו ר֣וּחַ חׇכְמָ֑ה וְעָשׂ֞וּ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֧י אַהֲרֹ֛ן לְקַדְּשׁ֖וֹ לְכַהֲנוֹ־לִֽי׃ Then, you shall instruct all those with wisdom in their heart, those filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they shall make the clothing of Aaron, sanctifying him to serve Me as priest. – Exodus 28:3 Aaron and his sons are tasked with the sacred obligation of carrying out sacrifices to Adonai, but they could only do that if they wore the special clothing that the people made for them. All of the worship of Adonai through sacrifices in the Torah comes from the people with chachmei-lev, wisdom in their hearts. May we all listen to the wisdom of our own hearts so we can live the meaningful Jewish lives we all long for!