Parashat Vayakhel
„The prayer, the Kiddush, the meals – how great is the power of this wondrous shared uniformity to imprint the love of family within this great people.”From Ma'amarei HaRaayah, HaShabbat
This week's portion opens with the command to keep the Sabbath. The moment the sun sets on Sabbath eve, a wondrous thing happens – in many homes, families halt the race of life. The phones are silenced, work is left behind, and the family gathers around one table. This is the moment when we finally listen – to our spouses, to our children, to our parents, and above all to ourselves. In this space, the personal family unit is strengthened and renewed. And at the same time, those same prayers, that same Kiddush, those same meals are held in every Jewish home. Thus a wondrous bond is created between the personal-familial circle and the entire Jewish people. The Sabbath unites us twice – first with ourselves and our close family, and then with all of “this great people.”
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