Torah Portion of the Week
Building Character through the Themes of the Weekly Torah Portion
Vayakhel
וַיַּקְהֵל מֹשֶׁה אֶת־כָּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה ה׳ לַעֲשֹׂת אֹתָם׃
Va-yak-hel Mo-sheh et–kol–a-dat B’nei Yis-ra-el va-yo-mer a-le-hem e-leh ha-d’va-rim a-sher–tzi-vah A-do-nai la-a-sot o-tam.
And Moses assembled all the congregation of the Children of Israel, and said to them: These are the words which the Lord has commanded, that you should do them.
Exodus 35:1
Pekudei
אֵלֶּה פְקוּדֵי הַמִּשְׁכָּן מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת אֲשֶׁר פֻּקַּד עַל־פִּי מֹשֶׁה עֲבֹדַת הַלְוִיִּם בְּיַד אִיתָמָר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן׃
E-leh p’ku-dei ha-Mish-kan Mish-kan ha-e-dut a-sher pu-kad al–pi Mo-sheh a-vo-dat hal-vi-yim b’yad I-ta-mar ben–A-ha-ron ha-Ko-hen.
These are the accounts of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of Testimony, as they were rendered according to the commandment of Moses, through the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the Priest.
Exodus 38:21
This week, the double portion of Vayakhel-Pekudei is read. Vayakhel means “and he assembled,” and Pekudei means “reckonings” or “accountings.”
In Vayakhel, the men and women donated an abundance of precious metals and materials used for the construction of the Tabernacle, including gold, silver, and copper, as well as dyed wool, linen, goat hair, animal skins, wood, olive oil, spices, and precious stones. They brought more than enough gifts—so many, that Moses had to ask them to stop giving.
In Pekudei, a detailed accounting is given of the gold, silver, and copper contributed and used for the construction of the Tabernacle. In this way, the people knew exactly how the money was spent. By giving this accounting, Moses showed the people that he had integrity, thus avoiding and removing any suspicion that he had benefited personally from the donations that had been given. Furthermore, if Moses did have ulterior motives of gaining personal wealth, he would have encouraged the gifts to keep coming rather than telling the people that a sufficient amount had already been collected. Moses exemplified diligence, accountability, and trustworthiness.
Be Accountable
Accountability plays a central part in Pekudei. Moses knew that no leader—not even the most elevated one—is above accountability. Accountability means giving an account for your behavior and actions. Accountability says to the world, “These are my motives.” Accountability generates trust, and trust is the soil from which success grows in relationships, businesses, and communities.
Moving forward in your life means being trained in the right principles. For leaders, business owners, employees, community organizers, teachers, husbands, wives, and parents alike—the example Moses set is relevant to each person, and leads us to ask these questions: Are we fair and honest to others and to ourselves? Are we accountable and trustworthy in our actions? Are we careful, honest, and responsible with other people’s possessions? No matter what position you are in, with the power of influence comes great responsibility.
Pronunciation Guide for Transliterated Hebrew Words
| a | [a] as in arm |
| ai | [ai] as in Thailand |
| e | [e] as in red |
| ei | [ei] as in eight |
| i | [i] as in ski |
| o | [o] as in score |
| oi | [oi] as in oil |
| u | [u] as in rule |
| ui | [ui] as in gluing |
| ch/kh | [ch] as in the Scottish loch |
| g | [g] as in good (not as in giant) |
| tz | [ts] as in hats |
| ‘ | short “eh” or “uh” sound |
The Hebrew Scriptures in this text have been derived from the Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), and the English translation is based off of the JPS 1917 Tanakh.
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash®
