Exodus · Weekly Torah portion
Parashat Vayakhelוַיַּקְהֵל
Torah reading
Exodus 35:1-38:20
Haftarah
I Kings 7:40-50
Sephardic: I Kings 7:13-26
What happens in Vayakhel
Moses gathers — vayakhel — the whole community, and the Mishkan moves from blueprint to construction. But first: Shabbat. Even sacred building stops for the day of rest. Then generosity overflows; men and women bring gold, yarns, and skilled work until the artisans report the unthinkable — the people have given too much, and Moses must tell them to stop. Bezalel, filled with 'wisdom of the heart,' leads the craftwork.
Big themes
- Generosity unleashed
- The art of making
- Rest before work
If this is your bar or bat mitzvah portion
It's the only fundraising campaign in history stopped for over-giving. When everyone contributes what they're moved to give, abundance follows. And the Torah calls craftsmanship 'wisdom of the heart' — skill with your hands is honored as holy work.
Learning to chant Vayakhel?
Ready 13 builds a verse-by-verse practice plan for this exact portion — chanted reference audio, karaoke highlighting, trope games, and a countdown that keeps the big day on track.
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