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Parsha Vayakhel – What Day Is Shabbat?

March 13, 2015 by Russell McAlmond

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In today’s world we tend to live a 24/7 week where the days often seem to run together.  The Monday through Friday workweek is not one that all of us have.  Yet, as Jews, we are told in this week’s parsha of Vayakhel that we must not work on Shabbat (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown) or we may be put to “death.”  But what about those of us who have responsibilities that require us to work on Saturday?  How does the modern Jew try to observe Shabbat while recognizing our 24/7 interconnected world?

First, we know that no one is put to death in contemporary society for working on Saturday – nor would we assume anyone was in the past.  The Torah tries to emphasize certain acts by making the punishment severe.  But why even mention this?  Because Shabbat truly is the most important day of the week for any Jew.  If there is one act that draws most Jews together on a frequent basis it is the observance of Shabbat – a day of rest and peace.  Is this important in our modern world?  Absolutely!  In fact, it may be more consequential to us in our social media world than at any other time in history.  It is also critical for our spiritual health, and physical health, that we slow down and put things in perspective at least once a week.

If you have to work on the traditional day of Shabbat, then make another day of the week your day of peace, reflection and spiritual growth.  Go ahead and light the candles, say the blessings, and sit down to a lovely meal with challah bread on Tuesday night if you work on Saturday.  It is that important.  Even if you can’t do it every week, try every other week or as often as you can.  Set aside that time with your spouse, with your family, with your Torah studies or anything else that will make the day special for you.

What day is Shabbat?  Shabbat is whatever day that will work on your schedule.  G-d gave us Shabbat, in my humble opinion, not only to think of him, but because he knew that as sentient human beings we need a day a week to sit back and reflect.  We need a day that is not about making more money or getting ahead on our goals.  We need a  day to ponder ideas that are at a much higher level than the ordinary everyday existence of life.  We need the peace of Shabbat to bring a better quality to our lives and our families.

Make Shabbat a day of renewal and spiritual rejuvenation.   Whatever day you choose, as Nike says, “Just Do It!”  It will make a difference in your life.

 

Filed Under: Jewish Text (Torah/Haftarah/Talmud) Tagged With: convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, D'var Torah, darshan yeshiva, online conversion, Parsha Vayakhel, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, rejuvenation, renewal, shabbat, Torah

CPTB Split EP Vol. 1 (Parsha Vayakhel/Pekudei)

March 14, 2012 by Jeremiah

This week’s Parsha is unique it is the first double portion in this year’s cycle and it is also the conclusion of the Torah’s second book Exodus. Since this week is not like the rest (oh come on like you would not have went there), and keeping with the very loose hardcore punk theme of Circle Pit The Bimah this week’s double portion is fashioned after a split 7 inch record. In the traditional split format each group is given a side of the record to showcase two songs, for our purposes each portion is allowed two paragraphs to get the message out. Man oh man I hope this does not blow up in my face.

Parsha Vayakhel (Ex. 35:1 – 38:20)

1. I’m sorry lets make up.

After directing their faith towards a less responsive candidate for godhead in Ki Tisa. The ancient Hebrews are repenting and doing what we all do when we know its our fault and not the other persons. Instead of cooking a nice dinner or sending a bouquet of flowers our ancestors gave completely and totally of themselves. The golden calf was only given a little bit of gold in order to become a physical thing, while Hashem was given everything Moses needed to build the Tabernacle and dress Aaron and the rest of the priests. They gave and gave and gave until they were told to stop.

2. All Ages Benefit Show.

The ancient Hebrews gave so much of themselves not out of fear but because they truly wanted to give unto Hashem. They were told to stop because the needs of the religious government were met and taking more or even everything would have left the rest of that society in dire need. This reiterates that Hashem is a living G~d who needs a two way relationship with us and not heartless obedience.

Parsha Pekudei (Ex. 38:21 – 40:38)

1. War Against errr For Society.

Often times when we think of nomadic peoples images of tents and caravans creep into our minds eye, we do not envision portable buildings. The ancient Hebrews while technically nomadic were unique because Egypt shares a border with the State of Israel yesterday and today. Pekudei captures the part of history when the Tabernacle is actually built, gone is Moses’ talk about building and present is the construction carried out by Bezalel and Oholiab.

2. From the Old School to the New School

As Exodus ends a new chapter is penning itself. Absent are the heroic styled accounts and morally ambiguous lessons demonstrated in the lives of our ancestors and what we do have is the first physical State of Israel. Hashem and Moses have literally created a viable self supporting nation state with codified laws, a government structure, religious culture, all while remaining partially nomadic. Yes over the course of the next few decades this state will move from here to there and then to other there but an unruly band of nomads in the desert they are not.

Filed Under: Community Member Blogs, Jewish Text (Torah/Haftarah/Talmud) Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, exodus, Israel, jeremiah satterfield, online conversion, Parsha Pekudei, Parsha Vayakhel, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier

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