Parshat Vayakhel: Build

Parshat Vayakhel: Build
Exodus 36:6

וַיְצַ֣ו מֹשֶׁ֗ה וַיַּעֲבִ֨ירוּ ק֥וֹל בַּֽמַּחֲנֶה֮ לֵאמֹר֒ אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֗ה אַל־יַעֲשׂוּ־ע֛וֹד מְלָאכָ֖ה לִתְרוּמַ֣ת הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וַיִּכָּלֵ֥א הָעָ֖ם מֵהָבִֽיא׃

Moses had this proclamation made throughout the camp: “Let no one make further gifts for the sanctuary!” So the people stopped bringing.


When Moses asked for contributions to build the Mishkan, the portable center for worshiping God in the wilderness, he probably did not expect such a resounding response. After only a few days, all of the materials were collected. The gold, silver, copper, leathers, wood, spices – everything was given in abundance until finally Moses made the surprising announcement to stop giving donations. From this we learn a few valuable lessons:

  1. Give when you can. When there is a need, and you have the means, the ability to give is a blessing that won’t last forever.
  2. Know when you have enough. Having too much can be just as troublesome as having too little.
  3. Giving material goods is only giving half of what’s needed. At this point, Moses needed the Israelites to give of their time and skills to take the materials and make something holy with them.

Though we are no longer building the Mishkan, each of us can be engaged in building something holy. We work on our person, always making ourselves into the best we can be. We work on our Jewish community, giving of ourselves to build a whole that’s even greater than its parts. We work on the local, national, and even global community, giving what and when we can to heal a broken world. The Torah dedicates chapters and chapters to the task of building something holy. It’s a challenge to us to build something holy too.

Office Hours

B’nai Zion Congregation
6210 Airpark Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Monday: By appointment
Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Visiting B’nai Zion for the first time?
For security purposes, our policy requires that first time visitors contact the office before visiting B’nai Zion Congregation or attending Shabbat or Holiday services. Please call us at 423.894.8900. We look forward to welcoming you!

Contact

Rabbi Samuel Rotenberg: rabbirotenberg@bzcongregation.com

Autumn Clark, Office Manager: office@bzcongregation.com

Phone: 423.894.8900

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Weekly Services

Tuesday Minyan
6:00pm via Zoom Only

Friday Kabbalat Shabbat (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Fridays)
6:00pm via Zoom Only

Shira v’Shulchan (4th Friday)
6:00pm in-person and via Zoom

Shabbat Morning Service
9:30am in-person and via Zoom

See our Worship & Events page for all up to date services!