Rosner’s Torah Talk: Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei with Rabbi Tom Heyn

Our guest this week is Rabbi Tom Heyn, leader of Temple Israel of the Greater Miami. Raised in a secular Jewish family in Baltimore, Rabbi Heyn underwent several transformative spiritual experiences before returning to and embracing his Jewish roots. He earned his BA in History and Hebrew Studies from the University of Wisconsin and his MA and Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He also completed his clinical education and training in pastoral care (CPE) through leading institutions such as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Rabbi Heyn has served both urban and rural communities (most recently in Brattleboro, Vermont) as a congregational rabbi, Jewish educator, hospice chaplain, professional musician and spiritual guide.

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei – (Exodus 35:1-40:38) – begins with Moses commanding the people of Israel to observe the Shabbat and continues to tell us in great detail about the building of the Tabernacle. Pekudei, the last reading from Exodus begins with an audit of how the contributions for the Tabernacle (the Mishkan) were used. The portion goes on to describe the completion of the Tabernacle and its assembly and concludes by depicting the glory of the lord entering it. Our discussion focuses on the similarities and differences between the Mishkan and the temples of today.

https://youtu.be/iJwNeSG28vE