This week we will be reading not one, but TWO portions of our torah!
We enter this parshah Vayakhel, ready to receive the words of the lord. He begins by telling the people the commandment of the sabbath – 6 days of work and on the 7th day complete and holy rest. Moses then explains the preparations of oils, ointments, and offerings for the lord that the people should do and the people follow suit. They utilize their best skills – whether it be weaving, carving, and craffitng alike – the people brought forth their best for the lord. They were working so hard to please gd that they in fact made too many! So Moses asked for no more gifts, so that the Tabernacle could be completed with what already had been brought. With the bountiful gifts that had been brought, the Tabernacle was assembled.
Bezalel and Oholiab build the ark of acacia wood. He builds poles for caring, a cover, and two cherubs with their wings spread over to protect the ak – all laid with gold of course! Tables, bowls, lamps, and all the lavish needs for a holy place are carefully crafted in special metals and woods.All in all the tabernacle is lookingFAB!
We transition to the next parshat – Pekudei – as we see the completion of the Tabernacle YAY! Those half shekels we talked about last week are brought up again – one for every man coming out to 603,550! Each are used in the building of the tabernacle, every person contributes to the building of their holy community. Aaron and his priestly brothers get decked out in sick new outfits adorned with special stones, you have never seen such lavish priests in your life!
Now that the Tabernacle was built and the priests were dressed, it was time to use it! So Moses annoints the place and the priests with those holy oils we talked about lit the lamps, and in went the priests! The cloud the presence of gd – settled upon and filled the space.
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