Yardena Zobin
Contributor
In Parashat Pekudei, we talk about the materials used to construct the Mishkan. While this week's portion may seem focused on details of the materials used in the Mishkan and seems very instructional, it holds profound lessons for us today. One key takeaway is the concept of attention to detail and the significance of every individual's contribution. Just as each item in the Mishkan was crafted with precision and a distinctive use, so too, every person has a unique role to play in the community. Whether it's a person who’s making the items in the Mishkan or the person providing the necessary components, each person's contribution is essential for the Mishkan. Another aspect is that we should also approach our spiritual relationships with mindfulness and attention, in order to build a strong, meaningful connection with Hashem. Each detail, no matter how small, contributes to the overall beauty and sanctity of the Mishkan, just as each action and Mitzvah we take on in our spiritual lives has significance.
Last week we read Parashat Shkalim, and saw that each Jew had to give a minimum of half a shekel. A poor person had to give half a shekel and a wealthy person had to give half a shekel, as well. The reason for a half a shekel is because half a shekel represents the person himself and his contributions to the community, but what is significant about a half, is that it’s missing something in order to become whole. It is a combination of both one’s actions and Hashem’s presence and commandments that allows one’s half shekel to become whole.
וְכֶ֛סֶף פְּקוּדֵ֥י הָעֵדָ֖ה מְאַ֣ת כִּכָּ֑ר וְאֶ֩לֶף֩ וּשְׁבַ֨ע מֵא֜וֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁ֧ה וְשִׁבְעִ֛ים שֶׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֥קֶל הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃
The silver of those of the community who were recorded came to 100 talents and 1,775 shekels by the sanctuary weight.
בֶּ֚קַע לַגֻּלְגֹּ֔לֶת מַחֲצִ֥ית הַשֶּׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ לְכֹ֨ל הָעֹבֵ֜ר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִ֗ים מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה לְשֵׁשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֙לֶף֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וַחֲמִשִּֽׁים׃
a half-shekel a head, half a shekel by the sanctuary weight, for each one who was entered in the records, from the age of twenty years up, 603,550 men.
This is significant to the Mishkan because these half Shkalim were used as either the materials of what was being built or as a donation to the Mishkan, which is shown in Shmot (Exodus) 25-26, the silver that was given to the Mishkan during the census were used in the building of the Mishkan and its important that every person's donation of half a shekel was used.
Parashat Pekudei highlights the power of teamwork and collective effort in achieving a common goal. Despite the challenges and complexities involved in building the Mishkan, Bnei Yisrael came together as a unified community to create the Mishkan. By doing so, we not only create a relationship with each other by helping one another, but we also connect to HaKadosh Baruchu through the works and efforts that we put into our daily tasks. We should pay more attention to detail, and make the full effort to help others and it’ll show the power of collective effort in our own lives and communities. By doing so, we can build spaces of connection, meaning, and purpose in our world today.
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