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Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei

Vayakhel and Pekudei are read together in most years. Together they cover Exodus 35:1 to 40:38, 214 verses.

Updated September 24, 2026

וַיַּקְהֵל־פְקוּדֵי

Book
Exodus
Reading
35:1 to 40:38
Verses
214
Position
22 of 54

Opening verse

וַיַּקְהֵל מֹשֶׁה אֶת־כָּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה יְהוָה לַעֲשֹׂת אֹתָם׃

And Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said unto them: ‘These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.

Exodus 35:1

Read the full text from the start of the portion: Exodus 35 in Hebrew and English.

Summary

Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1 to 38:20)

Moses gathers the whole community, reminds them of Shabbat, and asks for the materials for the sanctuary. The response is overwhelming. Men and women bring gold, silver, copper, dyed wool, linen, skins, wood, oil, spices and stones, and the women spin the goats' hair. Betzalel and Oholiav lead the work, and the artisans eventually tell Moses that the people are bringing too much. He has to order them to stop. The rest of the portion describes the making of the curtains, the boards, the Ark, the Table, the Menorah, the altars and the laver, following the plans given in Terumah.

Pekudei (Exodus 38:21 to 40:38)

The book of Exodus ends with an audit. Moses gives an accounting of every talent and shekel of gold, silver and copper that went into the sanctuary. The priestly garments are woven, and the artisans bring the finished parts to Moses, who inspects them and blesses the people. On the first day of the first month of the second year, Moses assembles the Mishkan: the boards, the curtains, the Ark behind its veil, the Table, the Menorah, the altars and the laver. When he finishes, the cloud covers the tent and the glory of God fills it. The cloud will lead the people on all their journeys.

Key moments

  • Shabbat before the work begins (35:1 to 35:3)
  • The people give too much (36:1 to 36:7)
  • The Ark made by Betzalel (37:1 to 37:9)
  • The accounting of the materials (38:21 to 38:31)
  • Moses inspects the work and blesses the people (39:32 to 39:43)
  • The cloud fills the Mishkan (40:33 to 40:38)

When is Vayakhel-Pekudei read?

Upcoming Shabbat readings in the Diaspora calendar:

  • Saturday, March 25, 2028
  • Saturday, March 10, 2029