Parshat Pikudei, the Parsha with which the book of Exodus concludes, is usually read with Parshat Vayakhel. This year, we read Vayakhel and Pikudei separately.
The Rebbe explained the symbolism and complementary nature of these two Torah portions. Vayakhel, which means “And he gathered,” represents the collective nature and role of the Jewish people. It's what we do as members of a community and nation. Pikudei, which means “accounting,” by contrast, is about the small details, the role of the individual Jew, and the things we do as individuals.
When these two parshiyot are read together, we focus on the complementary nature of the community's and the individual's roles. However, when we read them separately, as we do this year, we must focus more intently on each of these themes. Thus, in the week of Pikudei, we must dwell on each individual's power and privilege. We must recognise the incredible power we possess, apart from our membership in a unique nation.
This echoes the famous Talmudic dictum, codified by the great Maimonides, that just one Mitzvah performed by just one individual can bring salvation to the entire world. The Rebbe exhorted us repeatedly that just one Mitzvah can bring about the coming of Moshiach and the final Redemption.
Cataclysmic events in and around Eretz Yisroel are tragic reminders that we live in momentous times. In the spirit of Parshat Pikudei, we grieve and mourn the loss of every single innocent life. Our hearts and prayers are with all of the families of each of the individual victims in Eretz Yisroel.
Let us, therefore, all resolve in this week of Pikudei—the last portion of the Book of Exodus, symbolizing the end of the process of Redemption—that the way to transform all of these tumultuous and tragic events is for us to demand of ourselves to do one more Mitzvah, one more minute of Torah study, influencing one more Jew to put on Tefillin or light Shabbat candles, etc.
