SHABBAT SHALOM – PARASHA VAYAK’HEL-PEKUDAI

In this week’s Torah reading there is a powerful message about the importance of Shabbat in Judaism.
Moshe (Moses) calls the Jewish people together and he is about to explain further the details involved in building the Mishkan (Sanctuary), the predecessor to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Before launching into the details Moshe states “Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have sanctity, a day of complete rest to the Lord;”
Rashi, the foremost Torah commentator explains that the placement of statement re Shabbat is to make clear to the Jewish people that Shabbat even overrides the task of building the Mishkan.

Only then were the Jewish people invited to make their contributions: “‘Take from yourselves an offering for the Lord; every generous hearted person shall bring it, [namely] the Lord’s offering: gold, silver, and copper;….”

So enthusiastic was the response of the Jewish people that “The people are bringing very much, more than is enough for the labour of the articles which the Lord had commanded to do.” Moshe then called a stop to the appeal!

May all our good causes face the same problem!
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Shabbat shalom to our members, supporters, readers and the entire community.