Moshe relays the Almighty’s commands to refrain from building the Mishkan (the Tabernacle or Portable Sanctuary) on the Shabbat, to contribute items needed to build the Mishkan, to construct the components of the Mishkan and the appurtenances of the Cohanim. The craftsmen are selected, the work begins. The craftsmen report that there are too many donations, and for the first and probably the only time in fundraising history, the Jewish people are told to refrain from bringing additional contributions!
Pekudey includes an accounting of all the materials that went into the making of the Mishkan and details of the construction of the clothing of the Cohanim. The Tabernacle is completed, Moses examines all of the components and gives his approval to the quality and exactness of construction, the Almighty commands to erect the Tabernacle, it’s erected and the various vessels are placed in their proper place.
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Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
After being told to anoint his brother Aharon (Aaron), Moshe was told in reference to Aharon’s sons:
“And you shall anoint them as you anointed their father” (Exodus 40:15).
Why did the Almighty give Moses this special instruction?
Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen explains in his commentary Meshech Hachmah that when Moses was told to anoint his brother Aaron, he was able to do it with a complete heart. Moses, the younger brother, was the leader of the Israelites and was happy that his brother was the High Priest. However, in reference to Aaron’s sons, the situation was different. Moses’ own sons were not going to succeed him as leaders. So, when it came to anointing Aaron’s sons, Moses might have felt envy. Therefore, the Almighty told Moses to anoint Aaron’s sons with the same whole heartedness and joy with which he anointed their father.
Our lesson: If even a person as great as Moses needs to internalize attitudes to avoid envy, all the more so do we! Also, it IS possible to feel joy and enthusiasm for another person’s success even if he has something that you do not.
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