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Essays on the weekly Torah portion, the holidays and Jewish thought.
Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Gathering Within Gathering Construction of the Sanctuary does not override the Shabbos because one cannot build in the realm of holiness at the expense of compromising holiness. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Half to the Very End We are humbled when we are helpless. Our challenge is to be humble when we have achieved our goals. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Here We Go Again! Judaism fuses objective devotion with subjective feelings. These two expressions are reflected in the command to build a Sanctuary and the followup command for the Kohanim to wear Priestly garments. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Jewish Pyrotechnics There is an inner fire and an external fire. The external fire we use in the weekdays to destroy the resistant forces of nature and convert them into spiritual energy. The internal fire is serene and warm. It is the fire of our soul, of Torah. It is revealed particularly on Shabbos. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – In Your Face Judaism Judaism encourages us to become public figures so we can maximize our influence over others. Humility that leads to withdrawing from the public arena is a form of spiritual selfishness. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Moses the Cpa One of the ways of testing a person is through money. Along with anger and wine, money can bring out the best or the worst in people. Money is not the root of all evil; it can be used for evil and so can it be used for good. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Prime Suspect! PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Put Out the Fires! Shabbos is a day of rest, peace, tranquility and holiness. Our part in observing Shabbos and preserving its serenity is to avoid all conflict. The Shabbos itself will do the rest. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Self- Transcendence To construct a Mishkan-Sanctuary for G-d, we have to first discover within ourselves a Divine spirit of selflessness and unity. The Sanctuary, once constructed, would help us in our self-discovery PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – – Seven Telescope and Microscope Some see the forest but not the trees. Some see the trees but not the forest. Judaism is about seeing the trees and the forest. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Shabbos Shabbos There are times when we have to prevent people from expressing to much zeal. In some extreme situations excessive zeal can cause us to trample over other values. The Torah determines when, and how to channel our deepest soul powers. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Shabbos and the Mishkan: Patent Protected The Shabbos and the Mishkan are the two most dramatic representations of G-d’s vision for the Messianic Age. They were given as a gift to the Jewish people whose mission it is to create a Dwelling Place for G- d throughout the world. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Smoke Alarm Existence is a union between space, time and energy. The acronym for these three components is ashan-smoke. Mount Sinai was engulfed in smoke. The purpose of Torah was to clear away the smoke that obscures the Divinity within space, time and energy. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – Sweet Light Judaism is multi-colored and sweet. Judaism is both rational and mystical. Judaism is warm and inviting as well as firm and demanding. All of this was radiated through the light of the Menorah that reflected the entire spectrum of Torah hues and lights and radiated that light to the entire world.. P Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – The Completed Bais Hamikdash PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – The Mishkan-Déjà Vu The construction of the Sanctuary is G-d’s way of expressing His love for us and that He wants to live with us. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – The Feminine Mystique The feminine spiritual dynamic is from a transcendent G-dly source. The future Messianic Age will be the age where the higher feminine energy will prevail. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – The Preeminence of Women Men and women both possess an inner fountain of faith. Women, however, were blessed with fewer obstructions to their inner faith and love for G-d. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – The Real Completion Most feel fulfillment when they complete a task; True fulfillment is when we realize that we are on an endless journey. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI Parsha Vayakhel-Pikudei – The Second Mishkan Everything exists on two planes; the earthly and the heavenly. This is especially true with the Mishkan, where the heavenly was openly reflected in and through the earthly. PIKUDEI PIKUDEI