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Weekly Torah Reading
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Parashat Pekudei (“accounting of”)
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Click on the links to display the Scriptures:
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Torah Reading Snapshot:
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(This is a relatively short parashah that is read with parashat Vayakhel during non leap years.)
Moses makes an accounting of the materials donated by the people for the assembling of the Mishkan (tabernacle). Betzalel and Oholiab make the Priestly garments -- the ephod (apron), choshen (breastplate), ketonic (cloak), crown, hat, tunic, sash and breeches -- all according to the specifications given to Moses on the mount (and also given in Parashat Tetzaveh).
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“These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.” (Exodus 38:21)
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All of the components of the Mishkan are brought to Moses, who then erects it and anoints it with the holy anointing oil. Aaron and his four sons are initiated into the priesthood. The parashah concludes with the cloud of glory appearing over the Mishkan, signifying that the LORD’s Presence has come to dwell within it.
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When was the Mishkan Dedicated?
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According to Jewish midrash, the mishkan was completed on Kislev 25, but the LORD told Moses not to assemble and dedicate it until Rosh Chodesh Nisan (Rosh Chodashim) since this was the start of the Jewish year. (Later God told Moses that He wanted to reserve Kislev 25 for the Chanukah celebration).
On Rosh Chodesh Nisan, the start of the joyous month of redemption from Egypt, the Levites began to assemble the mishkan and Israel began an eight day celebration. However, neither the Levites nor even Betzalel could assemble the beams for the mishkan! The people came to Moses and asked for his help, and God performed a miracle for him, allowing him to assemble the beams. He then went on to cover the layers with the tapestries, put the two luchot (tablets) into the holy ark, and completed the kodesh hakodashim (Holy of Holies). Moses then placed the shulchan (table), lechem hapanim (showbread), golden altar of incense, and menorah in the kodesh (Holy Place). In fact, Moses assembled the entire mishkan -- including the outer court -- as a gift from the LORD to him for his faithfulness.
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Why is it called the Mishkan?
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The Mishkan and Creation
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The Sages sometimes say that the building of the mishkan is an analogue of God’s creation of the universe itself:
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Creation of the World
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Building of the Mishkan
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1st Day - Heavens spread as a curtain
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Curtains over the mishkan
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2nd Day - Upper/lower waters separated
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The parochet (curtain) separates the
kodesh (Holy Place) from kodesh hakodeshim (Holy of Holies)
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3rd Day - Lower waters gathered
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Gathering of the people; the kiyyor (bronze laver)
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4th Day - Creation of sun, moon, stars
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The light of the menorah
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5th day - Creation of fish and birds
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The keruvim (cherubim)
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6th Day - Creation of Adam in Eden
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Dedication of Aaron as High Priest
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7th Day - God rested
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Shabbat; anointed oil upon mishkan
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With the mishkan in place, the book of Exodus comes to a close.
Since today there is no physical mishkan (or Temple), Avot 3:6 is often quoted to encourage Jews to seek the divine presence:
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“If ten sit and engage in Torah study, the Divine Presence abides among them, as it is said, "God stands in the congregation of God" (Ps. 82:1). How do we know that it applies to five? Because of the verse "He has founded his bunch on the earth" (Amos 9:6). How do we know that it applies even to three? Because of the verse "He will judge in the midst of the judges" (Ps 82:1).
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How do we know it applies even to two? The verse teaches, "Then they who feared God spoke one to the other and God listened and heard." (Mal. 3:16). It applies even to one, since it is said, "In every place where I cause My name to be mentioned, I will come and bless you" (Exod. 20:24).” Pirke Avot 3:6
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