Pekudei

Parshat Pekudei
Rosh Chodesh/Shekalim

In this last portion in the book of Exodus, we read about the concluding stages in the construction of the mishkan (portable desert sanctuary). As the mishkan was completed God’s presence, in the form of a cloud, entered the courtyard of the sanctuary. 

First Aliyah - Exodus Chapter 38, verse 21-39:1 
pp.  564-565
We are presented with an accounting of how much gold, silver and brass was collected and how many adult males were in the community (603,550).

Second Aliyah - 39:2-21 pp.  565-567
The special breastplate and garment of the high priest are described.

Third Aliyah - 39:22-32 pp.  567-568
The other priestly garments are described. 

Fourth Aliyah - 39:33-43 pp.  568-569
Moses blesses the people when he sees that they had done everything as he commanded.

Fifth Aliyah - 40:1-16 pp.  569-570
On the first day of the first month God commands Moses to set up the mishkan, anoint the vessels, and anoint Aaron and his sons.

Sixth Aliyah - 40:17-27 pp.  570-571
It was the first day of the first month of the second year after the exodus from Egypt. Moses put all the utensils in and put the tablets into the ark and lit the menorah.

Seventh Aliyah - 40:28-38 pp.  571-572
When everything was set, God’s presence rested on the mishkan as a cloud by day and fire by night. At the conclusion of this aliyah we rise and say, chazak, chazak, ve-nit-chazek - be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.

Additional Aliyah - Numbers 28:9-15 pp.  930-931
Today is the first day of the Hebrew month - 2nd Adar. Every new moon is a sacred occasion and this portion describes the special offerings that were brought to the sanctuary.

Maftir - Exodus 30:11-16 pp.  523-524
Today is known as Shabbat Shekalim - always the Shabbat closest to the start of Adar - the month of Purim. This was tax season in ancient Israel when a ½ shekel was collected from all adults in the community to support the Temple.

Haftorah - II Kings 12:1-17 pp.  1277-1279
This Haftorah describes the reforms that King Yeho’ash instituted regarding the monetary contributions and allocations in the Temple.

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