Carpool Curriculum

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei (Exodus 35:1-40:38)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

So we arrive at the end of the book of Shemot (Exodus) and Parshat Vayak'hel-Pekudei - (Exodus 35:1-40:38). Vayakhel is all about the of building the mishkan (the tabernacle). And Pekudei gives us a very specific accounting of the everything that was brought in for the building of said mishkan. It's good to make and keep to a budget!

  1. How might you know if God approves of something you have done? Can God show approval or disapproval? Have you seen either in your life?
  2. After the work is done the people are immediately reminded not to work on Shabbat. Didn't we get that just before the work began? Why do you think we need to hear it again now that the work is over?
  3. In this version of the Shabbat warning we are told specifically not to make fire on Shabbat. Now, why is that so special? Why does the fire thing need to be brought up right here, right now? We know that sacrifices were made in the Temple on Shabbat, so why do you think we needed to be warned about the fire-on-Shabbat thing here (Ex. 35:3)?
  4. We end with the Cloud of God descending to be with the people. Do you remember how the book of Exodus began? It opens with a discussion about who came down to Egypt and it ends with Gods Presence descending on the people. Hmmm, is there a connection? Try to write a midrash of your own that might bring the two ideas together.
  5. The last few sections of the Exodus are about Aaron and his sons as they are becoming the Priests for the Israelites. As you know this book is going to be followed by the book of Leviticus which is basically a book of laws for the Priests. Since most of us are not going to be Kohanim or Levi'im, why do we need all of the laws that are going to follow in the next book? Why couldn't God have just whispered them to Aaron and let him pass it down from generation to generation? Do you think that we need to know these laws? Why or why not?

Copyright 2010 Michael S. Raileanu. All rights reserved.