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This week's Parshah is called Vayakhel, which means: "and he assembled". Moshe assembles all the people - that doesn't mean he puts them together like Legos, it means he calls them all to be together in the same place. He is about to repeat many of the instructions for completing the Mishkan (the portable synagogue), but first, he reminds everyone of Shabbat - that the seventh day is to be a day of complete rest, and no one is supposed to light a fire content.

- Why is this an appropriate time to remind them of the importance of Shabbat?

- Why are we commanded not to light a fire on Shabbat? What does that have to do with working or resting?

- When someone tells you that you should rest, what do you think that means you should or should not do?

- What is the "work" that you rest from or try to resist doing in Shabbat?

- Are there other things besides work - maybe even things that are fun - that would be helpful not to do on Shabbat in order to really rest?

Moses repeats all of the materials and all of the tasks required to complete the Mishkan. We are told that the people who contributed had their hearts and spirits lifted up,  that they were generous, and they were wise. What a lovely way to think about people who contribute - wise and generous. 

- What do you think wisdom has to do with contributing with the Mishkan? When you want to make a contribution to anything - an organization, a project, your family - how does it help to be wise?

- What does "generous of heart" mean to you? What different ways can you think of to be generous, besides contributing tzedakah (charity)?

- Interesting, the Hebrew word "tzedakah", which we usually translate as "charity", comes from the same root as "tzedek", which means righteousness. How are charity, generosity, and righteousness related?

- How does contributing "lift you up" and lift others up?

Moses also specifically praises some of the people with special talents who helped build the Mishkan, Bezalel, and Oholiab. These men were apparently really good at carving, weaving, and other crafts. Moses goes into great detail to give them credit from what they did.

- Is it important to give people credit when they do things well? Why or why not?

- Who is the most talented person you know, and what is their talent?

- Do you have a talent you are proud of, or a talent you think nobody know about?

- Some of us often wish we had a talent that we just don't have. Is there on you wish you had?

The workers building the Mishkan have a complaint to share with Moshe: The people are bringing them too much stuff, more than is needed. Remember these are the same people who have wondered if God would really protect them, worried that Moshe would never return from Mount Sinai, and asked Aaron to build the golden calf.

- What  do you think caused this turnaround? Why are they suddenly so generous?

Vayakhel concludes with a reminder of what we read about last week - that Moshe counted all the people  by obtaining half a shekel from each one. The Torah says that the half-shekel contribution ensures that everyone is counted. It says that by being counted, the people atone (make amends) for themselves and their past mistakes.

- Why did everyone have to contribute the same amount?

- What do you like to be counted as part of or counted on for?

Shabbat Shalom,

Dan