Vayaqhel (ויקהל — Hebrew for "and he assembled,” the first word in the pasha) is the 22nd weekly Torah portion (pasha) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the 10th in the book of Shemot / Exodus. It constitutes Shemot 35:1–38:20. Pequde (פקודי — Hebrew for "amounts of,” the second word, and the first distinctive word, in the pasha) is the 23rd weekly Torah portion (pasha) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the 11th and last in the book of Exodus. It constitutes Exodus 38:21–40:38

“The people are bringing more than is needed for the tasks entailed in the work that HaShem has commanded to be done."  Moshe thereupon had this proclamation made throughout the camp: "Let no man or woman make further effort toward gifts for the mishkan / sanctuary!" So the people stopped bringing:  their efforts had been more than enough for all the tasks to be done.  [Shemot 36:5-7]

Is it possible to out-give HaShem? That is the question I asked myself as I read this week’s Parashiot (Readings).

Israel had been willing to give so much to the building of the Sanctuary that Moshe had to actually tell them to stop?  That is amazing!! Was it guilt on the part of Israel for the sin of the Golden Calf (Egel hazahav)?  I doubt it because the people gave with willing hearts.

We read in the second Parish “Just as HaShem had commanded Moshe, so the Israelites had done all the work.  And when Moshe saw that they had performed all the tasks — as HaShem had commanded, so they had done — Moshe blessed them.” [Shemot 39:42-43]

Would we be so willing to give today?  I have yet to hear a Rabbi say, please stop giving to the work of HaShem, you’ve given too much.  We see that at the end of the work Moshe blessed them.  When we give to the work of HaShem, we will always get a Blessing!!

HaShem tells us in Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says HaShem Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it”.

The bottom line is when we give to HaShem.. HaShem gives back to us. Guaranteed!!

Just try to out-give HaShem…I dare you to try!!