Parshas Vayakhel and Parshas Pekudei appear to primarily repeat information already contained in Parshas Terumah and Parshas Tetzaveh, as they record how all the vessels for the Mishkan and vestments for the kohanim were crafted and assembled just as Hashem had commanded Moshe. Although this seems unusual, Rav Chaim Zvi Senter points out that there are two other narratives in the Torah that are similarly repeated.
In Parshas Chayei Sorah, after the Torah recounts the details of Eliezer’s interactions with Rivkah as he sought an appropriate wife for Yitzchok, Eliezer repeats the entire narrative to Besuel and Lavan (Bereishis 24:34-48). Additionally, the Aseres HaDibros are recorded in Parshas Yisro and once again in Parshas Va’eschanan. Why does the Torah deviate from its typical inclination to brevity in these three cases?
The Mishnah in Avos (1:2) teaches that there are three pillars that sustain the world: Torah, Avodah, and Gemilus Chasodim. Rav Senter suggests that the three repeated topics represent these three pillars. The Aseres HaDibros correspond to Torah, as its entire foundation is contained within them (Rashi Shemos 24:12). The construction of the Mishkan, where the Divine Service took place, embodies the pillar of Avodah. Eliezer’s selection of Rivkah as a wife for Yitzchok was predicated on her dedication to chesed (Bereishis 24:14). The Torah therefore chose to uncharacteristically repeat its discussion of these three topics because of their fundamental role in Judaism. Just as a chair needs three legs to stand, so too must we do our part to ensure that the world has all three pillars that are vital to sustaining its continued existence. (R’ Ozer Alport)
