This week, we close out the Book of Exodus with a double parsha Vayakhel and Pekudei, as happens every so often to compress the Torah’s 54-parshas into our 52 week Gregorian calendar.
Another smooth week over here, despite the clock adjustments of the dreaded Day Light Savings. Though, now that the days are getting longer — and we’re getting small tastes of summer — our spirits are higher than ever. Which again, fittingly, mirrors the close of Exodus itself. The Israelites’ spirits are high. God is with them.
Human King vs Divine King
At first glance, these chapters can feel repetitive — the measurements, materials, construction details – but something deeply meaningful is happening: the Mishkan is finally complete. The Torah describes the people bringing donations so enthusiastically that they eventually have to be told to stop. Artisans work with skill and devotion. Everyone contributes what they can. It feels like a nation rebuilding itself.
The book opened with the Israelites under the rule of Pharaoh. Egypt was a place where power was absolute, human rulers demanded obedience, and people were reduced to labor. The ending of the book is very different.
Instead of following the king of Egypt, the Israelites now follow the presence of an almighty God. A cloud rests upon the Miskan, and when it lifts, the people travel. When it settles, they settle. Their movements no longer dictated by fear or tyranny, but by the King of Heaven. Which is such a striking contract.
The book begins with a human king who enslaves, and ends with a Divine King who dwells among His people.
Shabbat Remains #1
Moses gathers the people to remind them about Shabbat before discussing the Mishkan instructions. I find that really interesting, because it teaches us that even while building a sacred place for God, Shabbat must still be honored.
To badly misquote Abraham Heschel, “The holiness of time comes before the holiness of space.” That idea alone, the reiteration is actually very resonant for home life — the sacred rhythm of time (shabbat), matters more than even the most pressing project.
Accountability
The Torah very carefully lists out all the materials used for the Mishkan and who oversaw them. Even though Moses was the most trusted leader, the Torah still records full transparency about funds. Which sets a very early model of ethical leadership and accountability. Of all the things I wish we steadfastly obeyed in the modern day and age, ethical and transparent leadership would be nice, wouldn’t it? That could be a separate post, so we’ll just leave it there. (But daycares in Minnesota, anyone?)
To wrap up the Book of Exodus with one closing line: many scholars point out that Exodus beings with forced labor under Pharaoh, and it ends with willing labor for God. Same hands, different master.