SHALOM!
TORAH PORTION READING 22-23 / WEEK 22-23:
Vayakhel-Pekudei/He Gathered-Countings — ויקהל/פקודי
- TORAH:
EXODUS 35:1-40:38
- HAF-TORAH (either PROPHETS or WRITINGS) – PROPHETS:
EZEKIEL 36:16-38
- BRIT CHADASHAH (NEW COVENANT / NEW TESTAMENT) – GOSPEL:
JOHN 13:1-19; LUKE 16:1-13
Portion Summary
Vayakhel
The twenty-second reading from the TORAH and the second-to-last reading from the book of Exodus is called Vayakhel (ויקהל), which means “and he assembled.” The name comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which could be literally translated to read, “And Moses assembled all the congregation of the sons of Israel …” (Exodus 35:1). This portion from the TORAH describes how the assembly of Israel worked together to build the Tabernacle. In most years, synagogues read Vayakhel together with the following portion, Pekudei.
Pekudei
The twenty-third reading from the TORAH and last reading from the book of Exodus is called Pekudei(פקודי), which means “Accounts.” The first words of the first verse of the reading could be literally translated to read, “These are the accounts (pekudei) of the Tabernacle” (Exodus 38:21). The last reading from Exodus begins with an audit of how the contributions for the Tabernacle were used. The portion goes on to describe the completion of the Tabernacle and its assembly and concludes by depicting the glory of the LORD entering it. In most years, synagogues read Pekudei together with the previous portion, Vayakhel; therefore, the comments on this week’s reading will be brief.
Portion Outline
- TORAH
- Exodus 35:1 | Sabbath Regulations
- Exodus 35:4 | Preparations for Making the Tabernacle
- Exodus 35:20 | Offerings for the Tabernacle
- Exodus 35:30 | Bezalel and Oholiab
- Exodus 36:8 | Construction of the Tabernacle
- Exodus 37:1 | Making the Ark of the Covenant
- Exodus 37:10 | Making the Table for the Bread of the Presence
- Exodus 37:17 | Making the Lampstand
- Exodus 37:25 | Making the Altar of Incense
- Exodus 37:29 | Making the Anointing Oil and the Incense
- Exodus 38:1 | Making the Altar of Burnt Offering
- Exodus 38:9 | Making the Court of the Tabernacle
- Exodus 38:21 | Materials of the Tabernacle
- Exodus 39:1 | Making the Vestments for the Priesthood
- Exodus 39:32 | The Work Completed
- Exodus 40:1 | The Tabernacle Erected and Its Equipment Installed
- Exodus 40:34 | The Cloud and the Glory
- PROPHETS
- 1Ki 7:13 | Products of Hiram the Bronzeworker