TORAH: Exodus 35:1-40:38
HAFTARAH: 1 Kings 7:40-50 *
GOSPEL: John 13:1-19; Luke 16:1-13
Portion Summary
Vayakhel
The twenty-second reading from the Torah and the second-to-last reading from the book of Exodus is called Vayakhel (ויקהל), which means “and he assembled.” The name comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which could be literally translated to read, “And Moses assembled all the congregation of the sons of Israel …” (Exodus 35:1). This portion from the Torah describes how the assembly of Israel worked together to build the Tabernacle. In most years, synagogues read Vayakhel together with the following portion, Pekudei.
Pekudei
The twenty-third reading from the Torah and last reading from the book of Exodus is called Pekudei (פקודי), which means “Accounts.” The first words of the first verse of the reading could be literally translated to read, “These are the accounts (pekudei) of the Tabernacle” (Exodus 38:21). The last reading from Exodus begins with an audit of how the contributions for the Tabernacle were used. The portion goes on to describe the completion of the Tabernacle and its assembly and concludes by depicting the glory of the LORD entering it. In most years, synagogues read Pekudei together with the previous portion, Vayakhel; therefore, the comments on this week’s reading will be brief.
Portion Outline:
Torah
Exodus 35:1 | Sabbath Regulations
Exodus 35:4 | Preparations for Making the Tabernacle
Exodus 35:20 | Offerings for the Tabernacle
Exodus 35:30 | Bezalel and Oholiab
Exodus 36:8 | Construction of the Tabernacle
Exodus 37:1 | Making the Ark of the Covenant
Exodus 37:10 | Making the Table for the Bread of the Presence
Exodus 37:17 | Making the Lampstand
Exodus 37:25 | Making the Altar of Incense
Exodus 37:29 | Making the Anointing Oil and the Incense
Exodus 38:1 | Making the Altar of Burnt Offering
Exodus 38:9 | Making the Court of the Tabernacle
Exodus 38:21 | Materials of the Tabernacle
Exodus 39:1 | Making the Vestments for the Priesthood
Exodus 39:32 | The Work Completed
Exodus 40:1 | The Tabernacle Erected and Its Equipment Installed
Exodus 40:34 | The Cloud and the Glory
Prophets
1Ki 7:13 | Products of Hiram the Bronzeworker
Portion Commentary:
Torah with an Occupation
Don’t quit your day job to become a Torah scholar. When Torah study is not combined with an occupation, it amounts to nothing and leads to sin.
When the people of God join together with a common goal, we can do great things. The joint effort of the people of God working together to fulfill His commandments created a spiritual house worthy of God’s Dwelling Presence.
And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing. (Exodus 36:4)
The building of the Tabernacle required each person to contribute to the work from his own skill set. The tanners did the tanning, weavers did the weaving, carpenters did the carpentry, metal smiths did the smithing and so on. Each person had something to offer from his own unique vocational skills.
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
