Shabbat

Portion Vayakhel-Pekuday – the Double Whammy or a Double Dip?

Portion Vayakhel-Pekuday – the Double Whammy or a Double Dip?
 
This week's double portion brings us into the World of the Israelite Desert
 
What did they do 40 years in the Sinai? 
 
We were ordered to be centered around our homes and the Tabernacle - so as NOT to suffer TOO much
 
from the doubling-down sins of the Golden Calf and the Spies convincing Israelites NOT to want to be in Israel
 
 
 
So we built a Holy Temple in the Desert - to keep us focused PRESENT AND FUTURE
 
 
 
Our sages tell us it was mainly because we had to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf
 
Some people contributed to building a little golden calf - OIY! So Silly!
 
But EVERYONE kept GIVING to build the little Mishkan – the Tabernacle in the desert
 
They knew they made a GOLDEN MISTAKE – and they knew they had to FIX IT, so
 
EVERYONE gave until Moses had to say ENOUGH!
 
Who doesn’t want MORE and MORE stuff, gold, silver, offerings? G-d!
 
The Almighty tells us EXACTLY what the Temple needs – and it’s ENOUGH - but
 
We Needed - and still need - To be CONNECTED to that Temple EVERY DAY!
 
It's how to make every day SPECIAL –SO  start by saying SHEMA YISRAEL – in the AM and the PM
 
And it is how to make SHABBOS and HOLIDAYS SPECIAL: like
 
JOY ON SHABBOS IS SPECIAL
 
CLEANING FOR PASSOVER IS SPECIAL (yes!)
 
Being part of the Temple Family is special – even if you can’t go because of …well
 
You know, whatever these days ...
 
BUT DON’T FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED –
 
G-d Gave Us Telephones to help get us through!  AND TORAH BOOKS!
 
So be well, follow the GOLDEN rules
 
Stay connected to the Holy Temple and the Almighty
 
And may we all SEE REDEMPTION AND HEALING SOON
 
 
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz