Parshat Ki Tisa, 5785

Ki Tisa, First Aliyah

God told Moshe take a census, which every man must pay

A machatzit, or half, of a shekel it shall weigh.

The rich shall not pay more, and the poor shall not pay less

Atonement, expiation, is what this shall express.

Then make a copper wash stand, for Aaron and his sons

To wash before their service, God’s chosen holy ones

And take up special spices for oil of consecration

Warn against its mundane use by any of the nation

Finally, make incense, with herbs of equal measure

Keep it holy, do not use it for your personal pleasure

Now let’s meet Betzalel, artisan of great skill

With chochma and tvuna, he shall craft God’s will

He’ll make designs of metal, cut stones and carve the wood

But he’s not the only one by whom God’s plans are understood

Among the skilled and wise is Oholiav and his heart

Many men contribute to the making of God’s art

They build the Ohel Moed, and the Aron LaEidut

Furnishings and cover, and more pieces to boot:

Table and utensils, Menorah and incense altar

Priestly clothes and washstand - in their work they cannot falter 

God says that Kol asher Tziviticha ya’asu

Meaning: All that I command to you, these men shall do

God says again to Moshe to Yisrael to say

Et Shabbatotai tishmoru - you shall keep the Sabbath day

Beini u’veineichem, between you and me

You shall keep it, make it holy, ki oht hee

Six days you shall work, and on the seventh day you’ll rest

Once again it is a sign, through repetition stressed

Why do we keep the Sabbath? this parsha seems to ask

Why should one day we refrain from every taxing task?

For six days God created, then on the seventh ceased

God paused from God’s making of land and man and beast

Shavat vayinafash - God stopped, refreshed God’s soul

And that, perhaps, is Yom Shabbat’s holy, sacred goal