BackShabbat Together
By: Rabbi Barak Bar-Chaim
Parshat Vayakhel continues with the detailed construction of the Mishkan (tabernacle) and its vessels. The Torah portion begins with Moshe gathering the entire nation and telling them about Shabbat: “Six days work (melachah in Hebrew) may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have sanctity, a day of complete rest to the Lord; whoever performs work (melachah in Hebrew) thereon shall be put to death.” (Exodus 35:2)
Our commentators discuss why the command concerning Shabbat (which is repeated many times in the Torah) is inserted before the detailed instructions for constructing the Mishkan (tabernacle). From the juxtaposition of Shabbat and the construction of the Mishkan, we learn the following: 1) The type of activities (melacha) forbidden on Shabbat are the activities involved in the construction of the Mishkan, and 2) One is not allowed to desecrate Shabbat even for the Mitzvah of building the Mishkan (tabernacle). Our sages learn from these introductory verses that there are thirty-nine activities forbidden on Shabbat.
It is important to note that there are two words for work in the Torah: avodah and melacha. Our commentators explain that avodah refers to work where there is physical exertion. Melacha, on the other hand, refers to constructive work with or without physical exertion. For example, writing just two letters is forbidden on Shabbat, but requires no physical strain. On Shabbat we refrain from constructive work (melacha) and, in so doing, testify that God is the ultimate constructive creator, the creator of the universe and all that exists.
The Midrash Yalkut Shimoni (408) points out that this is the only chapter of the Torah that begins with the gathering of the Jewish people. While still on Mount Sinai, God said to Moses, “Go down and gather large congregations and teach them the laws of Shabbat… so that all future generations will learn that they should gather together in the study halls on Shabbat and study Torah in groups so that My Holy Name will be praised by my children.”
Friends, let us make Torah learning as a community on Shabbat a priority in our lives. Together as a community, let us recognize God as the ultimate creator, and in so doing, bring honor and praise to God’s name!