Vayakhel-Pekudei -Reading #7

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Apostolic Scripture: John 13:1-19; Luke 16:1-13

Reading #7 - Exodus 40:1-38

My Thoughts:

They finish the Tabernacle and Hashem’s cloud descends and glory fills the entire place (verse 37). Can you even imagine the excitement, the awe and the amazement of all of this? They have been traveling with the cloud and fire, but as the cloud fills the Tabernacle the GLORY ARRIVES. So much, that Moses could not even enter it. I don’t think we have any idea or concept what this would be like, but we can imagine it all. When read Torah we have “life”. When we read about the glory we experience this “life”. Spend some time today meditating on this particular incident.

Challenge:

The cloud by day and fire by night. They don’t move and travel -- until the cloud does. They only want to be where Hashem is. My challenge today is, do we “move” with the glory of Hashem? Do we watch where He is manifesting Himself on a daily basis? Meditate on this today. And see if you can “move” and follow Hashem wherever He is traveling. You will get a sense, because your spirit will be stirred. It may simply be an encouragement to someone, or helping some person to do something or giving of time and money to a good cause. Just check in with the Father and see if it is from Him. You will be blessed.

Reading #7 - Exodus 40:1-38

40 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 3 You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps. 5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein. 8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy. 10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy. 11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.

12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 14 You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 Moses did so. According to all that Hashem commanded him, so he did.

17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up. 18 Moses raised up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. 19 He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as Hashem commanded Moses. 20 He took and put the covenant into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Hashem commanded Moses. 22 He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside of the veil. 23 He set the bread in order on it before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 24 He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 He lit the lamps before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting before the veil; 27 and he burned incense of sweet spices on it, as Hashem commanded Moses. 28 He put up the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, as Hashem commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water therein, with which to wash. 31 Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there. 32 When they went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as Hashem commanded Moses. 33 He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and Hashem’s glory filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Hashem’s glory filled the tabernacle. 36 When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys; 37 but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of Hashem was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

We are reading about the FUTURE Temple in these verses. We can read about this Temple in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and other prophetic books. The point is -- there is a future Temple and in it we will be making offerings unto Hashem. If you have been taught that there will be no more Temples and offerings, I believe from Scripture, you have been taught in error. Study the future Temple and figure it out. It is our future. It is eternity. Heaven on earth, the Mashiach ruling and reigning from Jerusalem and Hashem’s glory once again filling the Temple.

Challenge:

The challenge today is to simply start studying the future Temple and its implications. You may want to go the the Temple Institute website for more information. See: Temple Institute

Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

16 “All the people of the land shall give to this offering for the prince in Israel. 17 It shall be the prince’s part to give the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, and the drink offerings, in the feasts, and on the new moons, and on the Sabbaths, in all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the meal offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.”

18 “‘Hashem says: “In the first month, in the first day of the month, you shall take a young bull without defect; and you shall cleanse the sanctuary. 19 The priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it on the door posts of the house, and on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the posts of the gate of the inner court. 20 So you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who errs, and for him who is simple. So you shall make atonement for the house.

21 “‘“In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. 22 On that day the prince shall prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering. 23 The seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to Hashem, seven bulls and seven rams without defect daily the seven days; and a male goat daily for a sin offering. 24 He shall prepare a meal offering, an ephah[a] for a bull, and an ephah for a ram, and a hin[b] of oil to an ephah.

25 “‘“In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, in the feast, he shall do like that for seven days; according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meal offering, and according to the oil.”

46 “‘Hashem says: “The gate of the inner court that looks toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened. 2 The prince shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate outside, and shall stand by the post of the gate; and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening. 3 The people of the land shall worship at the door of that gate before Hashem on the Sabbaths and on the new moons. 4 The burnt offering that the prince shall offer to Hashem shall be on the Sabbath day six lambs without defect and a ram without defect; 5 and the meal offering shall be an ephah for the ram, and the meal offering for the lambs as he is able to give, and a hin[c] of oil to an ephah. 6 On the day of the new moon it shall be a young bull without defect, and six lambs, and a ram. They shall be without defect. 7 He shall prepare a meal offering, an ephah for the bull, and an ephah for the ram, and for the lambs according as he is able, and a hin of oil to an ephah. 8 When the prince enters, he shall go in by the way of the porch of the gate, and he shall go out by its way.

9 “‘“But when the people of the land come before Hashem in the appointed feasts, he who enters by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he who enters by the way of the south gate shall go out by the way of the north gate. He shall not return by the way of the gate by which he came in, but shall go out straight before him. 10 The prince shall go in with them when they go in. When they go out, he shall go out.

11 “‘“In the feasts and in the solemnities the meal offering shall be an ephah for a bull, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs as he is able to give, and a hin of oil to an ephah. 12 When the prince prepares a free will offering, a burnt offering or peace offerings as a free will offering to Hashem, one shall open for him the gate that looks toward the east; and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out; and after his going out one shall shut the gate.

13 “‘“You shall prepare a lamb a year old without defect for a burnt offering to Hashem daily. Morning by morning you shall prepare it. 14 You shall prepare a meal offering with it morning by morning, the sixth part of an ephah,[f] and the third part of a hin of oil, to moisten the fine flour; a meal offering to Hashemcontinually by a perpetual ordinance. 15 Thus they shall prepare the lamb, the meal offering, and the oil, morning by morning, for a continual burnt offering.”

16 “‘Hashem says: “If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons, it is his inheritance. It shall belong to his sons. It is their possession by inheritance. 17 But if he gives of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons. 18 Moreover the prince shall not take of the people’s inheritance, to thrust them out of their possession. He shall give inheritance to his sons out of his own possession, that my people not each be scattered from his possession.”’”

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

In this reading Yeshua is teaching His disciples about servanthood. The Son of G-d takes time to wash their feet. Which is an example of holding others higher than yourselves. And it is true. We should not be selfish and always looking for ways to serve others. Following Yeshua is following Torah. He teaches Torah and He is a Rabbi. Listen to Him and learn the “heart” of Torah.

Challenge:

Verse 16:10 we read that Yeshua teaches this: If you are faithful in little, you will be faithful in much. In other words if you follow Torah even in the small things in life, you will be likely to be able to follow it in large things. An example could be how you treat those whom you love. Are you respectful even in the little things? Do you encourage, compliment and treat others you care about with total respect? Do you put their needs ahead of yours? If not, I encourage you to start doing so today. When you are faithful following Torah in this way, you will be surprised how the large Commandments will be easier to follow. You can do it.

Apostolic Scripture: John 13:1-19; Luke 16:1-13

13 Now before the feast of the Passover, Yeshua, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Yeshua, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from Elohim, and was going to Elohim, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside His outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “L-rd, do you wash my feet?”

7 Yeshua answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

8 Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!”

Yeshua answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with Me.”

9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10 Yeshua said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew him who would betray Him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” 12 So when He had washed their feet, put His outer garment back on, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me, ‘Rabbi’ and ‘L-rd.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14 If I then, the L-rd and the Rabbi, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. 16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than He who sent Him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.' From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am He.

Luke 16:1-1

16 He also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 He called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’

3 “The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’ 5 Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

8 “His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light. 9 I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents. 10 He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve Elohim and Mammon.”

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #6

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #6 - Exodus 39:22-43 

My Thoughts:

In verse 30 we read that they make a crown for the priest and on the crown are the words “Holy to Hashem”. This is not to be taken lightly. Think if you were wearing a crown and going into the Tabernacle of Hashem that said you were holy to Hashem! What a privilege, but what a responsibility too! The priests had special garments to wear and they had to wash and be anointed for service. They had to get totally prepared to serve Hashem -- exactly the way He had instructed. They had to become “holy” in order to come before and serve Hashem. Something to think about for us today. When we meet Hashem for prayer and/or worship, do we prepare to become “holy”? We could repent for our sin, cleanse our hearts, even wear nice clothing. We could make it all very special. When we meet with Hashem it could be very special and wonderful.

Challenge:

At the end of today’s reading we see that the people “finished” all the work they had to do, as Moses instructed them -- and they were blessed. My challenge to you today is think about a service you have been doing for Hashem, and if you have “finished” what He asked you to do? Make sure if you are doing a special project for someone else that you actually complete it. Often we start things and do not finish them. I really believe that just as He blessed the Israelites for their completion of the Tabernacle, so will He bless us for the completion of the tasks He asks us to do! Try it today!

Reading #6 - Exodus 39:22-43 

39:22 He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. 23 The opening of the robe in the middle of it was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn. 24 They made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen. 25 They made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates around the skirts of the robe, between the pomegranates; 26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as Hashem commanded Moses.

27 They made the tunics of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons, 28 the turban of fine linen, the linen headbands of fine linen, the linen trousers of fine twined linen, 29 the sash of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as Hashem commanded Moses.

30 They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HOLY TO HASHEM”. 31 They tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten it on the turban above, as Hashem commanded Moses.

32 Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting was finished. The children of Israel did according to all that Hashem commanded Moses; so they did. 33 They brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent, with all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 34 the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen, 35 the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat, 36 the table, all its vessels, the show bread, 37 the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light, 38 the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent, 39 the bronze altar, its grating of bronze, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base, 40 the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, and all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting, 41 the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office. 42 According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Hashem had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #5

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #5 - Exodus 39:2-21 

My Thoughts:

The breastplate -- with an attachment of 12 beautiful special stones with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written on them. This breastplate is placed over the heart of the priests as they enter the Tabernacle. They are there as a sign to Hashem of His special people who love Him and serve Him! He knows their names. He knows our names! We matter to Him just like the original 12 tribes of Israel. He cared enough for them to have their names written on the priest’s breastplate! And He cares for us. Why do we ever doubt that?

Challenge:

My challenge to you today is to take a few minutes and think about how Hashem knows YOUR name. Picture what it would be like if He were sitting next to you (or more realistically, you were bowing at His feet) and He called you by name. It would be a super sweet and wonderful sound. “Hey Bob”, “Hey Mary”, “Hey Nancy” -- it would just be too amazing. Sit for a minute and listen to what that would sound like. Then praise Him.

Reading #5 - Exodus 39:2-21 

39:2 He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 3 They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman. 4 They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends. 5 The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, as Hashem commanded Moses.

6 They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel. 7 He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as Hashem commanded Moses.

8 He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9 It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double. 10 They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row; 11 and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings. 14 The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes. 15 They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 16 They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 17 They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 18 The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front. 19 They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward. 20 They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 21 They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #4

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #4 - Exodus 38:1-39:1

My Thoughts:

Each man 20 and over were instructed to give a half shekel to the sanctuary. I just got an email this week from the Temple Institute saying it is a tradition to give a half shekel every year to the building of the Temple (or to a local synagogue). I thought about it and concluded that would be an awesome tradition to do each year. You can give to Temple Institute at: Temple Institute You will be super blessed.

Challenge:

We can tell by the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, that we serve a G-d that is orderly and concise. There is chaos with disorder, there is peace with order. We need to follow His example. Today I challenge you to look at your life. Is your daily lifestyle clean and orderly? Or do you wake up without a plan, disorganized and/or live with chaos? If you are not organized it is time to become so. If we want to be “lights” for Hashem, we must reflect the way He is. And He is a G-d of order. Let’s work hard to be more like Him. Look in the mirror today and think about what you need to do.

Reading #4 - Exodus 38:1-39:1

38 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. It was square. Its length was five cubits, its width was five cubits, and its height was three cubits. 2 He made its horns on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. 3 He made all the vessels of the altar: the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its vessels of bronze. 4 He made for the altar a grating of a network of bronze, under the ledge around it beneath, reaching halfway up. 5 He cast four rings for the four corners of bronze grating, to be places for the poles. 6 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze. 7 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.

8 He made the basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

9 He made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, one hundred cubits; 10 their pillars were twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. 11 For the north side one hundred cubits, their pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 12 For the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 13 For the east side eastward fifty cubits, 14 the hangings for the one side were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three; 15 and so for the other side: on this hand and that hand by the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16 All the hangings around the court were of fine twined linen. 17 The sockets for the pillars were of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. Their capitals were overlaid with silver. All the pillars of the court had silver bands. 18 The screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. Twenty cubits was the length, and the height along the width was five cubits, like the hangings of the court. 19 Their pillars were four, and their sockets four, of bronze; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals, and their fillets, of silver. 20 All the pins of the tabernacle, and around the court, were of bronze.

21 These are the amounts of materials used for the tabernacle, even the Tabernacle of the Testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest. 22 Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Hashem commanded Moses. 23 With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.

24 All the gold that was used for the work in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 The silver of those who were counted of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men. 27 The one hundred talents of silver were for casting the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil: one hundred sockets for the one hundred talents, one talent per socket. 28 From the one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels[i] he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and made fillets for them. 29 The bronze of the offering was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels. 30 With this he made the sockets to the door of the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, all the vessels of the altar, 31 the sockets around the court, the sockets of the gate of the court, all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins around the court.

39 Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #3

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #3 - Exodus 37:17-29 

My Thoughts:

Today we read about incense and light. It is important to have light in the Holy Place and incense to go up before Hashem. I think I read somewhere that the incense smoke penetrated through the curtains of the Holy of Holies where the Shekinah glory rested -- maybe to remind Hashem of the prayers of His people? Both seem necessary, pleasant and pleasing. It reminds us that we are to be a light for Hashem and that our prayers should be like incense going before Him daily.

Challenge:

Everything is either overlaid or created in pure gold. Only the very, very best for Hashem. My challenge to you today is this -- are you giving your very “best” to Hashem? Do you study His Word, do you talk to Him, praise Him and repent often for your mistakes? We know this. That Torah brings eternal life. I believe He created Torah because it is our “service” to Him as we live on this planet of His. By following His instructions for life, we draw closer to Him. We know Him better. Think of it this way. He created you and He created the world you live in. Therefore, follow His instructions closely on how to live your life. It’s all part of the wonderful “package” given by Hashem.

Reading #3 -  Exodus 37:17-29 

37:17 He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it. 18 There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side: 19 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand. 20 In the lamp stand were four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers; 21 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it. 22 Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold. 23 He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold. 24 He made it of a talent[a] of pure gold, with all its vessels.

25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its width a cubit. Its height was two cubits. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold molding around it. 27 He made two golden rings for it under its molding crown, on its two ribs, on its two sides, for places for poles with which to carry it. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. 29 He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.

Vayakhel- Pekudei Reading #2

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #2 - Exodus 35:30-37:16 

My Thoughts:

In verse 30 we read about Bexalel who is “filled with the Spirit of Elohim, in wisdom, understanding, in knowledge and in all kinds of workmanship.” It is so interesting that Hashem would take an everyday man and fill Him with His Spirit and create in him many gifts. I think He has done that with many people throughout the centuries. Famous people, people who have made magnificent beneficial discoveries and inventions! And I also believe He does that for you and for me. I was the Executive Director of a Pregnancy Center for years. And I know for a fact that Hashem “equipped” and trained me for this position. I felt His hand on my life every day, in every task -- I still do! If you are “gifted” in areas of work and service, know that it only comes from Hashem and be grateful. Praise you Elohim for the gifts you give us!

Challenge:

Hashem picked men with wisdom to design and create the Tabernacle. I believe He picked only His “best” to do this awesome task. After all, they were creating a “resting place” for our one and only Elohim. What a privilege that would have been. And people gave -- even beyond what was needed. Everyone as a community was in the awesome task of creating the Tabernacle. So, here is my challenge for you today. Ask Hashem if there is a community project that YOU can become involved in. Where you can be “equipped” by Hashem to do some awesome and incredible tasks! Then thank Him and join Him and be used by Him to create and serve those around you. It will be a total blessing for you!

Reading #2 - Exodus 35:30-37:16

35:30 Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, Hashem has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of G-d, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship; 32 and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 33 in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship. 34 He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.

36 “Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom Hashem has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Hashem has commanded.”

2 Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Hashem had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it. 3 They received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They kept bringing free will offerings to him every morning. 4 All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which he did. 5 They spoke to Moses, saying, “The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which Hashem commanded to make.”

6 Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman make anything else for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing. 7 For the stuff they had was sufficient to do all the work, and too much.

8 All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet. They made them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits,[a] and the width of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains had one measure. 10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling. Likewise he made in the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second coupling. 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain, and he made fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that was in the second coupling. The loops were opposite to one another. 13 He made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains to one another with the clasps: so the tabernacle was a unit.

14 He made curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the width of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one measure. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 He made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the coupling, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which was outermost in the second coupling. 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together, that it might be a unit. 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.

20 He made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the width of each board. 22 Each board had two tenons, joined to one another. He made all the boards of the tabernacle this way. 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward. 24 He made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards 26 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 27 For the far part of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far part. 29 They were double beneath, and in the same way they were all the way to its top to one ring. He did this to both of them in the two corners. 30 There were eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets—under every board two sockets.

31 He made bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the hinder part westward. 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the middle of the boards from the one end to the other. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold as places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman. 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold. He cast four sockets of silver for them. 37 He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer; 38 and the five pillars of it with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold, and their five sockets were of bronze.

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits,[b] and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it. 3 He cast four rings of gold for it in its four feet—two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side. 4 He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its width. 7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat: 8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

10 He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half. 11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 12 He made a border of a hand’s width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it. 13 He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet. 14 The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. 16 He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

Vyakhel-Pekudei - Reading #1

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI ויקהל/פקודי

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #1 - Exodus 35:1-29 

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about being wise-hearted and having willing hearts. These were the people who gave to the Tabernacle and helped create the items needed. Hashem was only looking for people with these types of giving hearts. He did not make it mandatory to give, and He never does. It makes me think about how I give to Hashem in different ways. I want to do it with a “wise heart and a willing heart”. And it is really important to “listen” to Hashem and He will definitely direct you how to give. He does for me. But, it’s important to listen to Him -- so that you don’t miss out on blessings.

Challenge:

Right in verse 1 we read that it is Hashem that gave Moses the words of the Law, and that we are commanded to do them. What a wonderful honor that Hashem has given us HIS instructions on how to live our lives and how to live in community. And yes, how to serve Him in the Temple (Tabernacle). Maybe we don’t have a Temple right now, but even the “essence” of Temple worship is clear. Obedience, cleanliness, repentance, servitude and righteousness. The Jewish people have passed the Torah down to generation to generation throughout the centuries. They have done it carefully and sacrificially. What a privilege that we can study it and obey. Torah is LIFE. May we be grateful today for Torah and the LIFE it gives us. Amen.

Reading #1 -  Exodus 35:1-29 

35 Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which Hashem has commanded, that you should do them. 2 ‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Hashem: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’”

4 Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Hashem commanded, saying, 5 ‘Take from among you an offering to Hashem. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Hashem’s offering: gold, silver, bronze, 6 blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, 7 rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

10 “‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Hashem has commanded: 11 the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 12 the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen; 13 the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread; 14 the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords; 19 the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”

20 All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Hashem’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Hashem. 23 Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them. 24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Hashem’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. 26 All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair. 27 The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate; 28 with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Hashem; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Hashem had commanded to be made by Moses.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Week #10

Vayakhel-Pekudei - He gathered/Countings — וַיַּקְהֵל־פְקוּדֵי

Torah Reading Exodus 35:1 - 40:38

Haftarah:  Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Apostolic Reading:  John 13:1-19 Luke 16:1-13

First Reading: Exodus 35:1-29

Second Reading: Exodus 35:30-37

Third Reading; Exodus 37:17-29

Fourth Reading: Exodus 38: 1-39

Fifth Reading: 39:2-21 

Sixth Reading: Exodus 39:22-43

Seventh Reading: Exodus 40:1-38