Vayakhel-Pekude
Our Sages tell us in the Ethics of the Fathers that ‘in a place where there are no men, strive to be a man’. A corollary of this could be that in a place where there are men refrain from being a man. In other words in a situation where no one is doing what needs to be done you have an obligation to step forward and do it yourself, but in a place where the work is already being done, you can possibly take a back seat. This may seem to be good advice, yet the evidence of our Parshah seems to indicate a more complicated picture. The Torah states at the end of the list of who donated what to the Tabernacle, that the Princes donated the precious stones. Rabbi Natan in the Talmud asks why they waited till the end when we find that when it came to the dedication of the Tabernacle they offered first? He answers that they intended to wait and see what everyone else would give and then they would bring what was still lacking, Nevertheless, because they were lazy in coming forward the Torah shows its disapproval by spelling their name deficient, without the normal aleph. The Princes seem to have thought, as stated above, that in a place where everyone else was donating, it was better to stand back, but we see that this was not the totally correct cause of action. How shall we explain this dichotomy? The difference lies, I believe in the type of action being undertaken. Our Sages in Ethics are talking of situations of leadership. There are places where no one is prepared to take on the mantel and then it is appropriate for you to step forward. Modesty in such a case is misplaced. Conversely, in a place where leadership is already being provided and the work being done, to step in and attempted to lead is both arrogant and ultimately harmful. The case of the Tabernacle, however, is different. This is a communal project for all the people. It is thus not appropriate to stand back and wait for others to give. The obligation is on everyone. For this reason the Pesach sacrifice had to be brought by all the people, not only the Priests. The obligations of the Seder night and the message of the Exodus are universal. Not only are we not allowed to stand back but we should push ourselves forward: ‘whoever enlarges on telling the story of the Exodus is to be praised’. Pesach is for everyone.
ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS
Rishon |
The command to keep Shabbat and bring materials for the Tabernacle. The people respond. |
Sheni |
So much is brought they are asked to stop. The building of the Tabernacle and the Ark and the Table. |
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Shelishi |
The making of the Menorah and the Altar of Incense. |
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Revi’i |
The making of the Altar of Offering and the courtyard. The sum of money given for the Tabernacle. |
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Chamishi |
The making Ephod and the Breastplate. |
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Shishi |
The making of the Robe and other priestly garments. The Mitre and Plate. |
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Shevi’i |
The Tabernacle is set up and filled with the Divine Presence. |
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Maftir |
The laws of Pesach. |
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Haftorah |
Ezekiel: 45;16-46;18: The future service of the Third Temple. |
Sidra Statistics
Parshat Vayakhel-Pekude
· have 122 +112 = 234 verses
· are the 10th + 11th in Exodus, 20th + 21st in the Torah
· 3rd + 7th longest in Exodus, 16th + 24th longest in the Torah
· Vayakhel has 1 pos mitzvah.
· Exodus has: 1209 verses, 11 Parshiot
· 45 pos + 66 neg = 111 mitzvot.
PAST PARSHAH PUZZLE
Immovable youth.
Joshua doesn’t move from tent.
PARSHAH PUZZLE
Intellectuals call a halt.
WEEKLY HALAKHA
It is forbidden to fast during the whole month of Nisan, except for Firstborn on the 14th Nisan.
