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Vayakhel (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel – Parah


Dvar Torah
Out of the four Parshiot chronicling the planning and assembly of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), Vayakhel has the most extensive description (Exodus 35:4-36:7) of the spirit of activism and volunteerism the people showed in completing the Mishkan. Of note is that the men and women gave generously not just from their money (e.g. Ex. 35:21-24), but also their skills and time (e.g. Ex. 35:25-26). They did not give passively, but gave with such enthusiasm, that there were too many resources available (Ex. 36:5-7). Importantly, the volunteer movement was introduced and framed within the broader commitment of service to G-d (35:1-3), accentuating the importance of personal commitment to a spiritual cause over the spiritualization of personal commitments. Perhaps, the lesson of Vayekhel for us is to generalize this spirit of volunteerism into our own Judaism, investing not just our wealth but also our skills and time with enthusiasm to enhance the Mitzvot in our lives.

Shabbat in/out times
Yerushalayim 17:15/18:29
Kfar Giladi 17:32/18:28
Dubai 18:12/19:05
Zurich 18:22/19:28
Montreal 18:50/19:54
NYC 18:51/19:52
Lima 17:59/18:49
More times here

יהי שלום בחילך שלוה בארמנותיך
Shabbat Shalom!

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