Celebrating our Diversity
Pekudei
The final two Parshios of Sefer Shemos discuss the actual building of the Mishkan with the donations given by Bnei Yisroel. The Mishkan was a collective project, involving all of the Jewish people.
The names of the Parshios Vayakhel and Pekudei hi-light two different aspects of being a part of a community and the contribution that each of us makes to the community and its endeavours.
Vayakhel means to gather together, reflecting the community as a whole, seemingly homogenous group devoted to a common cause or set of values. To achieve this unity one must transcend and sometimes forgo their individuality to become a part of the greater goal and greater good.
In contrast, the message of Pekudei is the celebration of diversity and uniqueness of the individual and the specific contribution that they can make.
Pekudei means to count. In the opening of the Par-sha Moshe Rabbeinu gives a tally of the contributions made to the Mishkan and how they were used in the various aspects of the Mishkan’s construction. Counting an object recognises and declares the unique value of each counted item.
We see this contrast in the Mishkan itself as described within these Parshios.
On one hand, the Mishkan was a total unit, a single Mitzvah - expressing the theme of Vayakhel. But it was made up of unique elements; materials and keilim, each serving a different function - the theme of Pekudei.
If any of the individual details were missing, the totality of the Mishkan would be lacking and Hashem’s presence would not rest amongst Bnei Yisroel.
These contrasting themes are also reflected in the different donations that were given to build the Mishkan. The half Shekel coin was given by each Jew equally, whether rich or poor. The idea of giving an equal donation reflects how each member is an equal part of a homogenous whole.
But there was another type of donation where each person would (and was expected to) give according to their ability and their generosity. Some would give gold, others silver or copper. These items differ greatly in their nature and value.
As a community we look more-or-less homogenous. We wear similar clothing, ascribe to similar beliefs and share common facilities. But far from minimising uniqueness, a community thrives on uniqueness and diversity of opinions.
Like each brushstroke in a masterpiece or each note in a song, we are each a unique part of the greater whole. We each possess talents that only we can offer and which make us unique. For some it is in teaching or speaking. Another might be a good organiser, implementer or source of ideas.
The underlying base to everything that must come first is Vayakhel; to work together as a Kehillah with Achdus and Ahavas Yisroel.
But within this framework, Pekudei encourages each of us to utilise our uniqueness and contribute it to the greater good of the community; to building our Mishkan.
Like the individual items in the Mishkan, it is our diversity that actually creates the fabric of the community and without each individual and their uniqueness, the community would not be complete or reach the successes that we are capable of.
The names of the Parshios Vayakhel and Pekudei hi-light two different aspects of being a part of a community and the contribution that each of us makes to the community and its endeavours.
Vayakhel means to gather together, reflecting the community as a whole, seemingly homogenous group devoted to a common cause or set of values. To achieve this unity one must transcend and sometimes forgo their individuality to become a part of the greater goal and greater good.
In contrast, the message of Pekudei is the celebration of diversity and uniqueness of the individual and the specific contribution that they can make.
Pekudei means to count. In the opening of the Par-sha Moshe Rabbeinu gives a tally of the contributions made to the Mishkan and how they were used in the various aspects of the Mishkan’s construction. Counting an object recognises and declares the unique value of each counted item.
We see this contrast in the Mishkan itself as described within these Parshios.
On one hand, the Mishkan was a total unit, a single Mitzvah - expressing the theme of Vayakhel. But it was made up of unique elements; materials and keilim, each serving a different function - the theme of Pekudei.
If any of the individual details were missing, the totality of the Mishkan would be lacking and Hashem’s presence would not rest amongst Bnei Yisroel.
These contrasting themes are also reflected in the different donations that were given to build the Mishkan. The half Shekel coin was given by each Jew equally, whether rich or poor. The idea of giving an equal donation reflects how each member is an equal part of a homogenous whole.
But there was another type of donation where each person would (and was expected to) give according to their ability and their generosity. Some would give gold, others silver or copper. These items differ greatly in their nature and value.
As a community we look more-or-less homogenous. We wear similar clothing, ascribe to similar beliefs and share common facilities. But far from minimising uniqueness, a community thrives on uniqueness and diversity of opinions.
Like each brushstroke in a masterpiece or each note in a song, we are each a unique part of the greater whole. We each possess talents that only we can offer and which make us unique. For some it is in teaching or speaking. Another might be a good organiser, implementer or source of ideas.
The underlying base to everything that must come first is Vayakhel; to work together as a Kehillah with Achdus and Ahavas Yisroel.
But within this framework, Pekudei encourages each of us to utilise our uniqueness and contribute it to the greater good of the community; to building our Mishkan.
Like the individual items in the Mishkan, it is our diversity that actually creates the fabric of the community and without each individual and their uniqueness, the community would not be complete or reach the successes that we are capable of.