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PEKUDE "Accounting of"
5 March 2011
Exodus 38:21-40:38
2 Kings 11:17-12:17
2 Cor. 3:7-18
Maftir: Exodus 30:11
Shabbat Shekalim, which takes place the Shabbat prior to
Rosh Chodesh for the month of Adar or on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Adar
itself, is named for the maftir reading, Exodus 30:11. The maftir
describes a census requiring every Israelite man to contribute a half
shekel to support communal sacrifices in the portable tent of meeting
and later at the Temple. The egalitarian nature of this contribution is
emphasized, "the rich shall not pay more, and the poor shall not pay
less than half a shekel." The requirement that all individuals
contribute equally to the community helped develop a sense of unity
crucial to the new nation created by the Exodus.
In
the
special HafTorah,
2 Kings 11:17-12:17, King Yehoash commanded that all money brought to
the Temple be used for its repairs and renovations, both the required
contributions and the free-will offerings. Shabbat Shekalim occurs
about a month before Passover as a reminder that the due date for the
half-shekel contributions was approaching, on 1 Nisan, a month later.
Some people make a special offering to their synagogue during this time.
Summary:
Moses takes an
accounting
of the gold, silver and copper donated for the building of the
Mishkan/Tabernacle. Betzalel, Ahaliav and their assistants make the
Eight Priestly Garments
according to the specifications given to Moses in Parashat Tetzaveh:
Apron,
Breastplate,
Cloak,
Crown,
Hat,
Tunic,
Sash
and
Breeches.
The Mishkan is completed and
Moses
erects it and anoints it with the Anointing Oil.
Aaron
and his four sons are initiated into the priesthood. A
cloud
appears over the Mishkan, signifying the Divine Presence that has come
to
dwell
within it.
This portion is filled with a reckoning of the work done
in the Tabernacle. The Hebrew word for reckoning (Exodus 38:21) is
pekude. The root of that word is pakad, used in Genesis 21:1
and translated remembered. Pekude is interwoven with birth, as
the text indicated that GOD had remembered Sarah. It follows that
Pekude, or the accounting of the Tabernacle, is associated with the
birth of the Jewish nation. Our GOD is in the role of mother, nurturing
and assisting in the development. The Hebrew word for mercy is rehem,
meaning womb. GOD’s love is like the love within the womb. A mother’s
love is infinite, unconditional, like the love displayed by GOD in
protecting the Tabernacle and His people. The birth of a child brings
feelings of joy and anticipation. It is a beginning. It is the start
of hopes and wishes that the child will grow to full maturity and impact
powerfully on the Jewish people and all humankind.
GOD wants a relationship with us. He is a GOD of
details, giving exact patterns for His house. There is an accounting of
the materials used in the construction of the Mishkan (4,386.5 pounds of
gold, 12,088.75 pounds of silver and 10,620 pounds of copper). This
Tabernacle is to be His dwelling place. GOD walked with man (Gen 5:24,
6:9). He desires for us to dwell with Him (Exodus 25:34). His glory
came to the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34). When Israel sinned, the Glory
departed (1Samuel 4:21-22). The Glory of GOD dwelt in the Temple
(1Kings 8:10-11). His Glory departed again because of the sins of the
people (Ezekiel 11:22-23). The Glory came in the person of Yeshua (John
1:4). He dwells now in believers, individually (1Cor 6:19-20). GOD
dwells in the body, congregation, collectively (Ephesians 2:20). One
day, GOD’s Glory will be revealed in a new heaven and new earth, and a
perfect city where His people will dwell forever (Rev 21-22).
We thus end the book of Exodus and the following week we
begin with Leviticus.
HAZAK HAZAK V’NIT’CHAZEK!
Be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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