In these current days, when so many of us gather in protest, seeking repair and the restoration of the foundational values upon which our state was established
- Nir Topper
- Mar 20
- 2 min read
"Nir’s Weekly Torah Portion" – Parashat Vayakhel
"And Moses Gathered": Unity, Leadership, and Hidden Interests
This week's Torah portion begins with the words:"And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel..." (Exodus 35:1)
The use of the word "Vayakhel"—meaning assembly or gathering—is likely not coincidental. This Torah portion follows one of the most severe crises described in the Bible—the sin of the Golden Calf, which deeply destabilized the covenant between God and the Israelites and profoundly challenged Moses’s leadership. Considering this context, it seems Moses had a deep, perhaps urgent need to restore a sense of unity, reconnect the community, and rally the people around a clear, shared project: the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Between Grand Ideas and Socio-Political Reality
From a sociological, political, and critical perspective, one can imagine that Moses’s motivations might extend deeper and wider. Beyond its spiritual and religious significance, the Mishkan project could serve as a means to re-unify the nation, providing social structure and stability. Perhaps Moses, a leader shaken by crisis, sought to restore trust and confidence through a communal and ritual project that would bring the people together. The social hierarchy created by the Mishkan—with Aaron and the priests at its center—naturally contributed to re-establishing order and strengthening the existing leadership.
Rashi explains the timing and context of this gathering ("Vayakhel"), emphasizing that Moses assembled the people immediately after Yom Kippur, the day he descended from Mount Sinai with the second tablets. According to Rashi, this timing symbolizes reconciliation and a fresh beginning following the crisis of the Golden Calf. Rashi chooses to highlight this point specifically to reveal the deeper meaning behind the act of gathering: it wasn't merely a technical or logistical action, but rather a profound spiritual effort towards unity, reconciliation, and restoration after severe turmoil.
According to Rashi, "Vayakhel" symbolizes renewal, forgiveness, and faith in the community’s capacity to overcome crises and rebuild itself through reconciliation and unity. We can learn from Rashi’s commentary to view the people's assembly not merely as a preparation for practical work (building the Mishkan), but primarily as a powerful moment of spiritual and communal renewal after crisis.
In these current days, when so many of us gather in protest, seeking repair and the restoration of the foundational values upon which our state was established, we can find great encouragement and inspiration in these interpretations of the weekly Torah portion.
