This evening we discuss the need for all the repetition in this week's Torah portion, VaYakhel-Pekudei, based on why and when God commanded building the Mishkan (Sanctuary). Every repetitious verse reaffirms God's unconditional love for us. We explore the lack of inventory or spare parts in the Mishkan, despite having hundred of different objects that certainly had to be replaced from time to time, conveyed by a moving story of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter. And we identify the one object that did have a duplicate, and the enormous life lesson we learn from it, expressed by the Eensy Weensy Spider. Finally, we analyze the significance of following the lunar calendar (initiated in Parshat HaChodesh), using the cycles of the moon as the rhythm our lives, paralleling the pattern of our history, collectively and individually, as taught to us by Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria).

Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship.

Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on:

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/adathyoutube

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/

Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha:

Apple Podcasts - https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches1

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches3

Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches4

Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions for feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.