This week's Torah portion is "Vayakhel." Here are three important and relevant key words that appear in it:
* Vayakhel (And he assembled) – Moshe calls for all the people to gather together. The last time they gathered, it was around the golden calf. But after the sin of the golden calf, this week comes a correction: the people of Israel gather around Moshe and hear instructions for building the Mishkan, the spiritual center that will accompany them in the desert. Each of us is an individual, but who is our community? Where do our environment and society lead us? Community is a powerful force, and this week we receive a reminder to check where it directs us, and to gather together for good reasons.
* Vaya'as (And he made) – This is a key word in the parasha. Again and again, our forefathers and foremothers in the desert take action: building the Mishkan, sewing, donating, assembling. The creation of the world is described in the Torah in Bereshit in about 30 verses. The building of the Mishkan is described in about 400 verses. There is less focus here on what God did, and more emphasis on what He commands people to do themselves.
* HaShabbat (The Sabbath) – Sometimes we want so badly to reach a goal that we're willing to do even what is forbidden. The parasha sets boundaries: the Mishkan is not built on Shabbat. There is a day when work is not done, even if it is important and holy work. There is Shabbat in the world.
Community, action, Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom.
