Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei
March 16, 2023
Jackie Grosser, Director of Upper School Admissions
What makes a community? This week’s parashah tries to answer that question in its own way.
Vayakhel/Pekudei begins with Moshe reminding Bnai Yisrael about the laws of Shabbat and it goes on to share a VERY detailed description on building the Mishkan. We learn about the curtains, the length of the ark, the delicate design of the menorah, and the clothing that Aaron, the high priest, was to wear.
Vayakhel/Pekudei begins with Moshe reminding Bnai Yisrael about the laws of Shabbat and it goes on to share a VERY detailed description on building the Mishkan. We learn about the curtains, the length of the ark, the delicate design of the menorah, and the clothing that Aaron, the high priest, was to wear.
Of course I’m paraphrasing here because these details go on for nearly the whole parashah (and it’s a double portion)! I want to focus not on the specificities of building the Mishkhan but rather, what it took to get there, the community. God commands Moshe to tell Bnai Yisrael to donate the materials needed for the building:
קְח֨וּ מֵֽאִתְּכֶ֤ם תְּרוּמָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה כֹּ֚ל נְדִ֣יב לִבּ֔וֹ יְבִיאֶ֕הָ אֵ֖ת תְּרוּמַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה (Take from yourselves an offering for the Lord; every generous hearted person shall bring it, [namely] the Lord’s offering…) (Shemot 35:5).
קְח֨וּ מֵֽאִתְּכֶ֤ם תְּרוּמָה֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה כֹּ֚ל נְדִ֣יב לִבּ֔וֹ יְבִיאֶ֕הָ אֵ֖ת תְּרוּמַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה (Take from yourselves an offering for the Lord; every generous hearted person shall bring it, [namely] the Lord’s offering…) (Shemot 35:5).
The people come together to donate gold, silver, copper, linen, wool, oil, spices, etc. It wasn’t just a few wealthy individuals who made the building of the Mishkhan possible; it was everyone, and, ultimately, the builders had what they needed and more. This community effort was necessary as a reminder of the good Bnai Yisrael could do, rather than harping on the damage that the community did during the sin of the golden calf.
To me, it’s no coincidence that Moshe also reminds Bnai Yisrael about Shabbat. Shabbat represents a time to reset, to come together as a community, and to reflect on how we can continue to do good each week. Our community came together just last week for a beautiful Lower School Shabbaton and next week both our eighth graders and seniors will be in Israel for a joyous Shabbat. These Shabbatot are tastes of the year-long, day in and day out, community building that we do here at school. Just as Bnai Yisrael was able to come together to achieve a common goal, may we continue growing as a community and shedding positive light to the communities around us.