Meaning of the name

This week’s Torah reading is in fact the combination of two portions. These two portions are often combined, since the system of dividing the Torah into portions is designed so that there will be enough portions for all of the Sabbaths of the year. The weekly portion is not read on holidays that come out on the Sabbath, and therefore, when there is a year during which many holidays do, some portions are joined together to that the Torah will still be completed during the year.

VaYakhel, , literally “and he gathered”, is thus named because it begins with Moses

gathering all of the Israelites and commanding them to keep the Sabbath.

Pekudey, , literally “the sum” or “the records”, is thus named because it begins with

listing all that was gathered from the Israelites for building the desert Tabernacle – in gold, silver, bronze, jewels and cloth.

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