A Holy Task: Vayakhel/Pekudei
By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman
March 15, 2023
With this week’s double portion, the second book in the Torah, Exodus, comes to a close. In Va-Yak’hel-Pekudei (“And he gathered” and “Accountings,” Exodus 35:1—40:38) the work of constructing the Tabernacle is finally concluded. To judge by the detailed description of this roving Tent of Meeting that the Israelites carried with them during their 40 years in the Sinai Wilderness—it must have been quite something to behold. The sheer quantity of expensive materials used for the endeavor—gold, silver and copper, precious jewels and stones, rare and costly dyes, intricate tapestries and animal skins—is overwhelming. The solid-gold Menorah (the seven-branched candelabra that stood at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting) and the Ark of the Covenant must have been breathtaking.
These portions contain exact measurements and weights. Everything had to fit together perfectly. Not a hook or clasp could be missing, or the entire structure would fall apart. Yet there is so much more here than just detailed accounting. It’s also the fact that every individual in the community participated in the construction of the Tabernacle. Granted, only one person—the multi-talented Bezalel ben Uri—was qualified to create the magnificent artwork of the Menorah and Ark; but the other contributions came from every Israelite. The cutting, sewing, weaving and embroidery were done by the women; the hewing of wood and hammering of the gold into thin sheets for use in covering the altar and other sacred objects, by able men. In fact—a fundraiser’s dream come true! —the contributions brought forth by the people exceeded the demand!
It was a true community effort, as befitting this magnificent Tent that served to represent God’s holy Presence among the entire People.
But it wasn’t only space that became sanctified. So was time, and the portion gently reminds us to observe the Sabbath—Shabbat—as a sacred day of rest, symbolizing the eternal Covenant between God and the Israelites.
In these portions we learn that the work of our hands is holy when its purpose is holy. The building of the Tabernacle called for each and every member of the community to step up and offer what they could—whether material goods or money, or any of the gifts of time, effort and talent. Without everyone’s contribution, there would be holes in the tapestry; a clasp might go missing or unaccounted for, and the entire project might collapse.
The unique gift each of us can bring forth is without parallel and cannot be replicated.
No house, tent or temple can contain the infinite glory of God; but the diversity of our offerings, united through purpose and goal, can reflect God’s multi-layered holiness.
As the book of Exodus concludes, we come to understand that being delivered from Bondage was only the first step toward Redemption. Through the building of the Tabernacle, Israel becomes a holy nation, a people devoted not to building monuments for the dead, but rather sacred communities for the living.
© 2023 by Boaz D. Heilman
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