Combined Parshiyot: Vayaqhel / Pequdei

We read two Torah portions this week so we can get through the entire Torah by the end of the year

Vayaqhel (He Assembled), Exodus 35:1-38:20
Moses tells the people about the Sabbath, and requests the previously described offerings for the building of the Sanctuary in the wilderness and its accoutrements. The people generously provide more than was needed and the described items are built by selected skilled artisans.

Pequdei (Amounts of), Exodus 38:21-40:38
Continues the discussion of making accoutrements for the Sanctuary in the wilderness. It is presented to Moses, who approves of it and Moses says that it will all be put in place and anointed on the first day of the first month (Nissan), and the priests will be anointed on that day. This was done on the first day of the first month of the second year, and G-d's Glory filled the Sanctuary. This is the final portion of the Book of Exodus! Hazak! Hazak! v'Nit'chazek!

There is a special maftir portion (the final piece of the Torah reading) for Shabbat Ha-Chodesh: Exodus 12:1-20. Identifies "this month," the month of the Exodus now known as Nissan, as the first month of the year and speaks of the Pesach offering and the coming Plague of the Firstborn and the festival of Pesach (Passover).

The haftarah is for Shabbat Ha-Chodesh, Ezekiel 45:16-46:18. Speaks of the offerings and preparations for Pesach (Passover), which is coming soon!

In synagogues using the Sephardic tradition, the Haftarah is Ezekiel 45:16-46:15.