Parashah 23 Pekudei

Exodus 38:21 – 40:38

By Dr. K. Blad ©

Second edition 2013-14

Lucrative copying not permitted

Torah Readings (when Pekudei is read separately):

38:21 – 39:1
39:2-21
39:22-32
39:33-43
40:1-16
40:17-27
40:28-38
Maftir: 40:34-38

Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:51 – 8:21 (Ashkenazi); 7:40-50 (Sephardic)

Pekudei

means “accounts of”

Comments

The First Aliyah, 38:21 – 39:1

38:21 “This is the amount of material used for the tent, even the Tent of the Testimony, as they were counted, according to the command of Moshe, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Itamar, the son of Aharon the Kohen.”(HNV revised) – Moshe commanded that an account be given in the presence of all the people, of how the material that they had given to the Eternal’s work had been used. However, it was not only the people of Israel who would be able to see this account, but all people on earth who have access to the Torah are able to see how Moshe used the gold, silver, copper, precious stones, and all the other valuables. That teaches us how important it is to have thorough bookkeeping in a congregation or in other public organizations. Moshe took the initiative of giving this report to the people so that no one would accuse him of being dishonest. He did not give the people an opportunity to, at any time, think that he had made himself rich at the cost of the offerings that were given to the work of the Eternal, as it is written in Numbers 16:15b,

“I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.”(HNV)

Moshe could have asked for compensation for the donkey that he used on his journey from Midyan to Egypt, when he was called to serve in the work of the Eternal, see Exodus 4:20. He gave of his own possessions in order to fulfill the task of bringing the people out of slavery, but he did not demand it to be returned to him later, even though he had the right to.

In 1 Samuel 12:3, the prophet Shmuel speaks to the people, according to what is written,

“Here I am: witness against me before HaShem, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose donkey have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.”(HNV revised)

In 2 Corinthians 7:2, it is written,

“Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.”(HNV)

The way that Moshe dealt with the valuable objects of the tabernacle is a good example for all leaders who handle money, and especially money that has been donated to the work of the Eternal. As I have traveled in different nations, I have noticed that in many cases there is a lack in this area among those who administer the finances in congregations. Many are not careful in this area, and that is one of the reasons why the shechinah, the glory of the Eternal, does not come over us more powerfully. If we do not take thorough care of our private and corporate finances, then we are not capable of administrating the spiritual manifestations. If we are not faithful with the riches of this world, how will we be able to be faithful when it comes the true riches, as it is written in Luke 16:10-12,

“He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”(HNV)

This text teaches us that we cannot receive the gifts of the Spirit if we are not faithful in our finances. A leader who makes personal gain from the Eternal’s work will be exposed to the Messiah’s wrath, as it is written in John 2:13-16,

“The Pesach of the Jews was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables. To those who sold the doves, he said, ‘Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!’”(HNV revised)

The Messiah’s wrath was not directed at those who had honest motives and wanted to make it possible for those who had traveled far to buy an animal for sacrifice, or to exchange their money, but his wrath, which came from the Father, was caused by other things:

Instead of keeping outside of the temple, it seems as though they had entered into the temple area itself.

Instead of offering their wares at normal prices, they made unjust gain from the worshippers who came to sacrifice unto the Eternal.

Instead of serving the people in love, they took advantage of the Eternal’s work in order to make themselves rich.

The last one of these three reasons is mainly what caused the Messiah’s wrath. Woe unto those leaders who view