VaYakhel-Pekudey (VaYakhel: Exodus 35:1 - 38:20, Pekudey: Exodus 38:21 - 40:38)

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.

VaYakhel: The portion begins with Moses gathering the people and commanding them to keep the Sabbath. Moses then commands them to bring offerings to God for building the desert Tabernacle - gold, silver, bronze, different types of precious cloth, precious stones, wood, oil and spices. All these are to be used for building the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This command is generously fulfilled and the people bring all that they were asked to. We are told that the women spun the different cloths needed.
Moses is then commanded to call upon Bezalel from the tribe of Judah, a skilled craftsman who is entrusted with crafting the Tabernacle and its furnishings. We are then given a detailed description of the building and crafting of each part of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Important furnishings to mention are the Ark and the lampstand.

Pekudey: The portion begins with an account of all the materials the people gave for building the Tabernacle and its furnishings. An account of what each material was used for is given. We are also given a detailed description of the Xoshen, the breastpiece worn by the High Priest, on which were set twelve precious stones standing for the twelve tribes of Israel.
We are now told that all of the work for preparing the Tabernacle was completed, and a date was set for its dedication, together with instructions as to how the dedication was to take place.
When Moses finishes the work, the cloud, in which God appears, covers the Tent of Meeting. The cloud over the Tent of Meeting became a sign for the travels of the Israelites, because they were to wait for it to lift from the Tent of Meeting before they traveled. Thus, the cloud of God's presence was in front of the eyes of the Israelites during all of their travels.
Pekudey is the last portion in the Book of Exodus. When read in the synagogue, at the end of every one of the books of the Pentateuch, the entire congregation rises and says: (xazak xazak venitxazek), "strong, strong, and we will be stronger!"