Vayak'hel/Pekudei - March 13, 2021

Torah Portion:
Vayak'hel/Pekudei - March 13, 2021
Torah: Exodus 35:1-40:38
Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Portion Summary:
—Moses speaks of what the Lord commanded on the mountain and calls the people to begin preparations for the Tabernacle; all participate.
—He calls for the craftsmen God had chosen.
—The gifts outweigh the need and contributions are stopped.
—The work done to finish the Tabernacle is described.
—The precious metals used are accounted for.
—The priestly vestments are described in their construction.
—God gives the date for setting up the Tabernacle and instructions for setting it up.
—After the Tabernacle is set up, the presence of the Lord fills the tent.
—The cloud of His presence rises to hover above the Tabernacle, and if it lifted the people would follow it.

Devotional by Janet Cothrell:

“So all the wise-hearted men among them did the work. They made the Tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen, along with blue, purple and scarlet, with cheruvim—the work of a skillful craftsman.” Exodus 36:8 (TLV)

There were ten beautiful, artistic curtains that made the outer walls of the Tabernacle. Each was an individual masterpiece, but standing together they formed an enclosure to house the place where the Shekinah could dwell, and the business of honoring God could take place.

It calls to mind the minyan, which is a group of ten adults formed to perform communal service, usually prayer, in the Jewish tradition. A lone person can offer prayers at any time, but the minyan offers strength and agreement to the participants.

We as a congregation have had to stand alone for so much of the last year, being separated by the dictates of a pandemic. We’ve used our resources to virtually come together but expressing our joys and sorrows, our worship, and prayers in this way don’t bring the same satisfaction as when we meet together in person. Like the curtains, we are each the beautiful and intricate work of Yeshua. As we stand together, we can do more than if we were alone.

We can rejoice in the opportunities to meet for holidays in the parking lot, but in order to fully reconvene our regular meetings, there are many variables that must still come together in order for us to reunite as we once did. Let’s continue to pray that everything will fall into place so we may begin to meet regularly again!

Father,
Thank You that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Please hasten the finishing of all of the renovations that are currently underway at our meeting place, and for all COVID restrictions to be lifted for us to meet safely again as a community. Help us to keep standing together in You!
In Yeshua’s name, amen.

End of the book of Exodus:

חֱזַק! חֱזַק! וְנִתְחַזֵק!
Chazak! Chazak! V’nee Chazek!
Be strong! Be strong! And be strengthened!