Vayakhel 2018: Giving for Hashem
Parshas Vayakhel 2018 Giving for Hashem The two parshios ( Torah portions) of Vayakhel and Pekudei parallel those of Terumah and Tetzaveh . Terumah and Tetzaveh relay Hashem’s instruction for the building of the Mishkan and the sewing of the bigdei kahuna (priestly garments), while Vayakhel and Pekudei enlighten us on how the actual construction process went down. The Mishkan (Tabernacle) and all its vessels required a lot of precious material. Each person donated what he could for the construction project. As it says, “Every man whose heart inspired him came; and everyone whose spirit motivated him brought the portion of Hashem for the work of the Tent of Meeting, for all its labor and for the sacred vestments.” ( Shemos 35:21) However, it wasn’t the physical material Hashem wanted. He wanted their sincere efforts towards the structure where His Holy Presence could dwell. Much stress is placed on the fact that these...