The word vayak'hel has the same root as the word Kehilat which means assembly. The message continues to speak about the building of community and how the people are to work together to bring about G-d's will. This week's portion repeats the same message as last week's almost verbatim. The Rabbis give varying opinions as to why this is so but in my opinion the truth is simply that last week G-d was speaking in the first person to Moses giving him the instructions for building the mishkan and this week, Moses is repeating the instructions to the people. Moses, as well is reaffirming his leadership after the incident with the golden calf. We can see how quickly the people have repented from what they have done and now they bring so much to build the Tent of Meeting that they have to be told to stop giving.

G-d repeats again the important calling of the men, Betzalel and Aholiab and how they are inspired to do the work. We see how the people, men and women alike, are excited, their hearts are stirred and willing to do what G-d has called them to do. G-d supplied everything, the material, the gold, silver, bronze, the talent, absolutely everything that was need to do the job that He wanted done. All that the people needed was to be available and have a willing heart which G-d also gave them. When G-d has a project in mind, there is no limitation of resources. When G-d is in control, everything will be supplied.

Sometimes we stress ourselves out to no end trying to get our own ideas and projects to succeed. These pop up quickly, like the golden calf. They may be very successful at the beginning taking on a strong momentum being carried along so quickly that there seems to be no end. There may even be a mass hysteria or frenetic nature associated with the project but in the end it crumbles, turns to dust (again like the golden calf) and we suffer the consequences.

Whenever we take our eyes away from G-d, we can become desperate, searching for a quick solution, a quick fix so to speak instead of looking to G-d for His direction. However when we wait for G-d's project, when our eyes are fixed on Him, in His time, it will be revealed to us, and then He will supply everything needed for its long-term success. G-d is gracious, supplying all wisdom and all the resources for us to bring to Him in order to bring about the very thing He wants done. It's so simple yet so difficult for us to do. May G-d give us the willingness to serve Him and courage to wait for Him to show us His will for our lives no matter what it looks like.

     Rabbi Percy Johnson
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     Kehilat She’ar Yashuv