Ex. 35:1 – 40:38
Précis: In Vayakel, Moses instructs the People again on the laws of Shabbat and asks for a donation of gifts (both of material and service) for the construction of the Tabernacle. The appointment of the construction leaders is also included, and the construction begins. There are again specific descriptions of implements, articles, and of the Ark itself.
Pekudei is the final parasha of the Book of Exodus. It begins with an inventory of the items used in the construction of the Mishkan, as well as the vessels and clothing collected by Moses and Aaron. When the accounts are squared, the completed structure is blessed. The Ark is placed within, as are the various holy vessels, and a cloud of glory descends and covers the tent.
Ex. 35:21 “These are the records of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of Meeting, which were drawn up at Moses’ bidding - the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the Priest.”
Moses had ordered the building of the Tabernacle at God’s command, and its construction was under the supervision of Aaron, the High Priest and his son Ithamar. Some may wonder why our text appears to be a recapitulation of all of the contributions to the building of the Tabernacle, and how those contributions were used. In fact, the Sages teach us an important lesson here. Communal efforts must be transparent and reported clearly.
Certainly, this is a lesson we should all appreciate. In recent years, our governments at various levels seem to have made the kind of mistakes which our narrative would abhor. Nepotism, self-dealing, ethical failures, refusing to make public that which the public has the right to know: all of these have always been commonplace in the “spoils system” of the American polity. And yet, the impact of these actions has been cumulative, and have in no small part contributed to the growing disparity between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Huge political contributions from unnamed sources are a factor in the growing polarization of our American lives, where virtually every issue has become political.
Moses, teaches us of the desperate need for clarity, accuracy, and accountability by all of our leaders.
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