In this week’s parshah, Parshat Pekudei, we learn that B’nai Israel completed all the tasks associated with building the Mishkan—the dwelling place for God. With this parshah, we also complete our reading of Sefer Shemot, The Book of Exodus. As we approach important tasks, we take a moment to practice the middah of ‘aim to finish what you start,’ finding fulfillment and pride in our accomplishments along the way. Our parshah coincides with another ending: we enter into the month of Adar II – the last month of the Jewish year. (Nissan, the month of Spring and Pesach, is the first month of the calendar year, and Adar II, when Purim occurs, is the last month).
Earlier this week, we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar II by singing: משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה — “From the moment Adar enters, we increase our joy.” We conclude our year with a commandment to rejoice! This Shabbat, and throughout the entire month of Adar II, may we take pride in the mishkan – the dwelling place for God – that we produce through our joy as a community.
Shabbat Shalom,
Moreh Greg
