Parashat Vayakhel

Torah Portions

Vayakhel (“He Assembled”) opens as God commands the Israelites to observe the Sabbath. Moses asks for material donations for the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and the people donate. A group of artisans designated by God begin building the Mishkan and its vessels.

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The Chief Artisan of the Tabernacle

TANAKH

Betzalel is chosen by God to be the chief artisan of the Tabernacle. Parashat Vayakhel, in the book of Exodus, details the construction of the Tabernacle, highlighting Betzalel's skills and divine wisdom.

And Moses said to the Israelites: See, יהוה has singled out by name Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, endowing him with a divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft, and inspiring him to make designs for work in gold, silver, and copper, to cut stones for setting and to carve wood—to work in every kind of designer’s craft— and to give directions. He and Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan

Exodus 35:30-34

A Surplus of Generosity

TANAKH

The Tabernacle was built with material donated by the Israelites. Parashat Vayakhel recounts how eager the Israelites were to donate material.

all the artisans who were engaged in the tasks of the sanctuary came, from the task upon which each one was engaged, and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than is needed for the tasks entailed in the work that יהוה has commanded to be done.” Moses thereupon had this proclamation made throughout the camp: “Let no man or woman make further effort toward gifts for the sanctuary!” So the people stopped bringing: their efforts had been more than enough for all the tasks to be done.

Exodus 36:4-7

Crafting the Sacred Table

TANAKH

The construction of the table in the Tabernacle showcases the intricate craftsmanship and sacred artistry involved in creating a holy space. Parashat Vayakhel details the meticulous design and materials used for the Mishkan's table.

He made the table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high; he overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. He made a rim of a hand’s breadth around it and made a gold molding for its rim round about.

Exodus 37:10-12

Sabbath Over Sanctuary

MIDRASH

The sanctity of Shabbat takes precedence even over the sacred task of building the Mishkan. The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, an ancient midrash from the land of Israel on the book of Exodus, explores the relationship between Shabbat observance and the construction of the Mishkan.

(Exodus 35:1) "And Moses assembled, etc." What is the intent of this section? From (Ibid. 25:8) "and they shall make for Me a sanctuary," I might think both on a weekday and on the Sabbath. And how would I understand (Ibid. 31:14) "Those who profane it shall be put to death"? As referring to their labors, other than those for the sanctuary. (Or, even to the labors for the sanctuary.) And how would I understand "And they shall make for Me a sanctuary"? As referring to other days, other than the Sabbath. Or, even on the Sabbath, etc…

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Tractate Shabbata 2:1-2

Order of Building

COMMENTARY

In what order were the Tabernacle and its vessels built? Renowned Israeli scholar Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky explores this question and discusses its significance using two midrashim.

The Gemara in Tractate Berakhot 55a deals with the question of the order of the building of the Tabernacle and the preparation of the vessels. The Gemara's midrash compares the sequence of Moshe's orders to Betzalel (in Parshat Ki Tissa) to the sequence of Betzalel's execution of them (in Parshat Veyakhel). According to the midrash, Moshe's command is, "Make an ark, and vessels, and a tabernacle." The ark before the vessels; and the vessels before the Tabernacle itself. However, even though these are Moshe's commands…

Karati Bekhol Lev, Vayakhel 1:2-4

Mirrors of Divine Purpose

COMMENTARY

The laver was covered in copper mirrors. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century biblical commentator, discusses the origins and significance of these mirrors and why they were chosen to cover the laver.

במראת הצבאת OF THE MIRRORS OF THE WOMEN CROWDING — The Israelitish women possessed mirrors of copper into which they used to look when they adorned themselves. Even these did they not hesitate to bring as a contribution towards the Tabernacle. Now Moses was about to reject them since they were made to pander to their vanity, but the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “Accept them; these are dearer to Me than all the other contributions, because through them the women reared those huge hosts in Egypt!” For when their husbands were tired through the crushing labour they used to bring them…

Rashi on Exodus 38:8:1

The Spiritual Merit of Studying the Tabernacle

COMMENTARY

Although there is no longer a Tabernacle or Temple, the ancient rabbis emphasize the merit one receives from learning about these institutions and their rituals. Rabbeinu Bachya, a 13th-century Spanish commentator, discusses the spiritual significance of engaging with the Torah's technical details.

The Torah’s report of how the camp of the Israelites was positioned is very important even though it was altogether something which existed only for a very limited period. Even though we do not have a Temple nowadays, study of and familiarity with all these numbers and measurements is mandatory and people who take the trouble to familiarize themselves with these numbers are certain to receive a great reward. There is nothing in the Torah which is not worth studying regardless of whether one can appreciate the practical value of such knowledge (Berachot 62)…

Rabbeinu Bahya, Shemot 38:9:3

Unity and Divine Presence in Parashat Vayakhel

CHASIDUT

Many commentators ask why the commandment of Shabbat comes next to the instructions for building the Tabernacle. Sefer Emet, a Chasidic Torah commentary by Rebbe Yehuda Leib Alter, discusses the communal element of both Shabbat and the Tabernacle.

(Shemos 35:1-2) states, “And Moshe gathered the entire Bnei Yisrael and said to them: These are the things that Hashem has commanded you to do. Six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be a Shabbos of complete rest, holy to Hashem; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.”
This commandment about Shabbos precedes the building of the Mishkan. The Mishkan's construction relies on the unity from gathering together, which brings Hashem's presence “among them” (Bnei Yisrael). The Midrash explains that Hashem said, “I will dwell in them,” not just in the Mishkan…

Sefat Emet, Exodus, Vayakhel 2:2

The Enigmatic Tachash

TALMUD

The hide of the tachash was used to make the covering for the Tabernacle. In the Babylonian Talmud, the ancient rabbis debated the identity and characteristics of this mysterious creature.

The Gemara asks: What is the halakhic conclusion reached about this matter of the taḥash that existed in the days of Moses? Rabbi Ela said that Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said that Rabbi Meir used to say: The taḥash that existed in the days of Moses was a creature unto itself, and the Sages did not determine whether it was a type of undomesticated animal or a type of domesticated animal. And it had a single horn on its forehead, and this taḥash happened to come to Moses for the moment while the Tabernacle was being built…

Shabbat 28b:6