parshat Vayakhel

Our parasha begins with the laws of Shabbat (Shmot 35:1-3) before beginning the description of the actual building of the Mishkan. We also find that in the previous parasha, Ki Tisa, there is mention of the mitzva of Shabbat. “Hashem said to Moshe, speak to Bnei Yisrael: You shall nevertheless keep my Shabbatot, for it is a sign between Me and you…” (Shemot 31:12-13).

In honor of parshios Vayakheil/Pekudei and the assembly of the Mishkan, it is appropriate for us to study the laws of Shabbos

Parashat Vayakhel tells in a very repetitive, detailed manner that that which was commanded to be made and constructed in Parashat Teruma and some of Parashat Tetzaveh was done correctly. The people who were commanded to do the work are referred to almost entirely by pronouns. The commands, presumably addressed to Moshe, use primarily the word “v’asita” (second person singular). In several places, it says “v’asu” (third person plural). That presumably implies that when Moshe was not to do something, it was to be done by a group of other people.