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Tag Archive for: Vayak’heil – P’kudei

Vayak’heil – P’kudei – וַיַּקְהֵל – פְקוּדֵי (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayak’heil – P’kudei – וַיַּקְהֵל – פְקוּדֵי (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

The Cloud of God’s Presence: Vayak’heil – P’kudei
By Cantor Lauren Adesnik

The Tabernacle is FINALLY finished. The instructions and construction of this sacred dwelling place for God comprised most of the book of Exodus. After the Tabernacle, Moses anoints and installs Aaron and his sons as the High Priests of the congregation. (Yes- this is where we get our liturgy and tradition of formally installing our clergy and sacred leadership of modern synagogues!) Finally, God descends into the Tabernacle as a cloud.

We learn that when the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on their journeys. If the cloud did not lift, they would not set out. For over the Tabernacle, a cloud of  Adonai rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night before the eyes of all the House of Israel throughout their journeys.

This is a beautiful image of God as protector and guide for the Jewish people. It also elevates the concept of discernment. Discernment is the practice of deep listening beneath the surface of our initial thoughts and emotions. This profound exploration of ourselves and others within the various situations we find ourselves in allows us to choose the path that serves our highest good.

The Israelites understood that if the cloud did not lift, it was not time for them to continue on their journey. Today we have to do more spiritual work than our early counterparts, but the result is the same. When we invite something bigger than ourselves into consideration, our path is true and serves our highest purpose for ourselves and the world.

Parsha Vayak’heil – P’kudei – וַיַּקְהֵל – פְקוּדֵי 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) 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) Vayak’heil – P’kudei – וַיַּקְהֵל – פְקוּדֵי

Vayak’heil – P’kudei (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayak’heil – P’kudei – וַיַּקְהֵל – פְקוּדֵי (Exodus 35:1–40:38)

There is a phrase we say this week as we complete our annual reading of the book of Exodus: chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik, “be strong, be strong, and we shall be strengthened.” It is a tradition, but what does this tradition mean?

There is a Chasidic tale about a student who came to his rebbe and said: “For 30 years I have studied the Torah and still I feel no closer to God.”  His rebbe replied: “Perhaps God cannot see you while you study and pray only for yourself and by yourself.” The rebbe explained that the phrase kol adat B’nei Yisrael, “all the community of the Children of Israel” which appears multiple times in this week’s portions, reminds us that when we work with others we can come to appreciate our own wholeness, our own self worth . When we engage with others, we can come to appreciate our own strengths, and how the strengths of others can complement our own. Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik, “be strong, be strong, and we shall be strengthened.”

We are stronger together: for ourselves, for each other, and in the building of a better world.

Parsha Vayak’heil – P’kudei 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) 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)