Parashat Vayakhel

A rare and beautiful moment occurs in Parashat Vayekhel – we see when “enough” is truly enough. As the Israelites come together to build the Mishkan, their contributions—both material and artistic—overflow to the point where Moshe must tell them to stop bringing their gifts: 

מַרְבִּים הָעָם לְהָבִיא מִדֵּי הָעֲבֹדָה לַמְּלָאכָה אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה יהוה לַעֲשֹׂת אֹתָהּ׃ 

 “The people are bringing more than enough for the tasks entailed in the work that God has commanded to be done.” (Exodus 36:5) 

Imagine hearing someone say, “Please stop donating—we have more than enough!” That’s exactly what happens in this week’s Torah portion. 

What makes this “enough” so complete? It isn’t just gold or silver, but the collective spirit of the people—craftsmen, weavers, leaders, and laborers—all bringing what they can. The Mishkan wasn’t built by a single type of contribution; it came together through a mix of materials, skills, and intentions. Similarly, a strong Jewish community thrives when each person brings their unique strengths—whether through learning, organizing, creating, hosting, or simply showing up. Jewish Enough isn’t about meeting a standard—it’s about recognizing that our collective wholeness comes from diverse contributions. When we shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance, from doubt to belonging, we realize that what we bring is enough—because we are building together. 

As you reflect this Shabbat, ask yourself: 
What does “enough” look like for me, and how does my unique contribution add to the collective Jewish Enough of my community? 

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