Parsha #22 Vayak’hel (He assembled) Sh’mot (Ex) 35: 1-38:20
Haftarah: M’lakhim Alef (1 Kings) 7: 40-50
B’rit Hadashah: 2 Corinthians 9: 1-15; Messianic Jews 9:1-14; Revelation 11:1-13
During regular years we also read Parsha #23 P’kudei (Accounts) 38:21-40:38 during leap years they are read separately
Parasha:
The K’ruvim (Cherubim) were very special. There are two reasons for this. First, they were placed on top of the Aron (Ark) in the Kodesh Hakodashim, the Holy of Holies. Second, they were one of the few items that had to be made from one mold of gold. This was no easy task. So, wouldn’t it have been much easier to make the K’ruvim in separate parts and attach the pieces to each other?
This may teach us something about how to reach our goals in life. We should not do things in fits and starts, especially when it comes to Torah study. We must not wait to learn when we find time, learning one day, skipping the next, and then maybe learning a little the day after. This kind of piecemeal work lacks continuity, and we end up with many fissures in our Torah knowledge. We, should however set goals for ourselves, set times for learning, and maintain a regular pattern of Torah study.
Another explanation of why the K’ruvim were made in one mold is in our understanding of what they represent. The Sages say that one K’ruvim represents YHVH and the other B’nai Yisrael.
These two K’ruvim molded from one piece of gold, show the strength and connection between G-d and B’nai Yisrael. We know that anything made out of one mold is stronger than something made from two. It has no seams that might cause it to break or crack under pressure. It is a picture of believers becoming one with YHVH Elohim so that we might successfully overcome all the adversaries of life. Being one with the Creator in focus and direction assures us of success.
The K’ruvim were set upon the Aron where the Torah was kept. This represents the fact that YHVH and B’nai Yisrael are and unbreakable mold built upon a base of Torah. Just as the Aron served as the base for the K’ruvim, so too must the Torah, the Living and the Written serve as the base of our connection with G-d. When this is done, our tie with YHVH will be of one mold, pure and unbending.
Halftarah Connection: (1 Kings 7:40)
In Parsha T’rumah, Moshe received instructions on how to build a sanctuary for YHVH. Our Parsha relates the actual building of that sanctuary.
Our Halftarah deals with the actual building of the Temple that King Solomon erected for YHVH Elohim.
Think About it:
1. Usually, the east is considered a direction of great importance. The sun rises in the east, signifying a new day. Why then was the Mishkan built facing west?
2. In describing the attributes of those who participated in the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the Torah calls them haham lev, "wise of heart." Isn’t that a contradiction? Wisdom is in the brain, while emotions are in the heart.
3. The washbasin of the Kohanim, the Keyor, was made of something very unique. Mirrors that the women donated. Why?
Wisdom of the Sages:
This Parsha appears to be a repetition of T’rumah. The Torah could have said, "They built all they were commanded." Why the repetition? Creative people like to add to whatever they are doing. Yet, when it comes to instructions from YHVH, exactness is essential. YHVH has already created the masterpiece and we cannot add to it. By telling us that B’nai Yisrael did exactly as He instructed we learn that following YHVH’s instructions in His Word leads to the Perfect House of YHVH.
"And Moshe assembled the entire community of Israel." (35:1)
Before commanding them to begin building the Mishkan, Moshe assembled the nation. He wanted to be sure the people understood that they had to be united in order to ensure the continuous existence of the Mishkan.
Sure enough, one of the reasons given for the destruction of the Second Temple is disunity of the Jewish people.
"Each person who was ready to volunteer then came forward." (35:21)
Why doesn’t the Torah simply tell us that the volunteers came forward? If they volunteered, then certainly they were ready.
People with good intentions don’t always have the opportunity to carry out their good deed, especially regarding finances. They become lazy, letting the opportunity to do what they planned slip away. But when it came to the donations for the Mishkan, everyone who had the intention of contributing actually did so.
Gematria:
Vaya’as Betzalel et ha’Aron, "And Betzalel made the Aron" (37:1) The name Betzalel has the numeric value of 153. This is the same value as the words, B’tzel El, "In the shadow of G-d." G-d gave Betzalel certain wisdom. One example of this wisdom is that only Betzalel knew how to make the Aron (Ark), It was a secret process that only someone who walked in the "shadow of G-d" was permitted to know.
Shalom and Brachas,
Rabbi Davis