Shabbos Parashas Vayakhel-Pekudei - 5777

Shabbos Parashas Vayakhel-Pekudei - 5777

Rabbi Hal Miller

All the wise-hearted among those doing the work made the Tabernacle: ten curtains

of linen, twisted with turquoise, purple, and scarlet wool, they made them with a woven

design of cherubs.​ [Shemos 36:8]

Didn't we just read all this? In the past few weeks, the Torah told us a number of times

what the materials were to be, what the work was to be, and who was to do it. Why are

we getting another round of it here?

The repetitions are not identical. They range from high-level generic, to the intimate

detail, but that isn't a reason to repeat. Abarbanel asks, "We find that the Torah records

on five occasions in both a detailed and general way the construction of the Tabernacle

and all that​ was involved...Why was it necessary to list the articles once more?"

Many commentators, such as Rashi and Rashbam, gloss over or do not even address

this question. Ramban gives explanations for each of the repetitions, but they seem

forced. Ralbag says that "we ought to accept no redundancies in the Torah, no superfluous

wording," then says he does not understand the reason here.

Sforno gives an explanation that makes sense, albeit not a very strong explanation. "The

reason why the Torah repeated all this is to inform us that when it came to the execution of

the project they did everything so as to correspond to G-d's will." While we can agree, we

still don't know why it took so many iterations for us to learn this lesson.

Rav Hirsch has a unique approach. He says that the Temple vessels were in fact to be

understood as symbolism. He writes, "The Torah did not therefore content itself with

recording the instructions to build the Tabernacle, but repeated each detail of their execution.

This was done in order to stress the symbolic significance of each detail, the dedication of

each labor to G-d in preparation for life in the Promised Land."

We can, perhaps, find another reason. In the realm of teaching, it is well known that

repetition is often an excellent way to strengthen understanding. This Shabbos is Shabbos

HaChodesh, the blessing of the cycle of the new month. It heralds in Nisan, the month of

Pesach, for which we need to prepare. This Shabbos is also Shabbos Chazak. We

complete the reading of Sefer Shemos, the Book of Exodus, and continue the cycle

with Vayikra, just as we have done for generations. These repetitions ensure we are

constantly strengthening our connection to Hashem. Our verse is yet another way to

ensure that we strengthen our connection by keeping in front of us the commandments

of His Holy Temple, may it be rebuilt soon in our days.