There’s something funny about traveling the world: we go as far away as possible, only to end up looking for a table where we can all sit together.
Looking around at the jungle, the beaches, and the wild nature surrounding us, it’s easy to see why people are drawn here. Many of us came to Costa Rica searching for some peace and quiet, to disconnect from our routines, and to soak in the freedom, the “Pura Vida,” and the powerful connection to nature. But throughout our family’s journey around the world, I’ve noticed something interesting. Even when we’re surrounded by all this beauty and endless open space, after a while, we start looking for other people. We look for conversation, for a shared table. We look for togetherness.
And this brings me to this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Vayakhel, which concludes the Book of Exodus.
The previous portions were filled with complicated, technical instructions on how to build the Tabernacle in the desert: exactly how much gold was needed, which types of wood to use, and the precise measurements for every vessel. But when the moment of truth arrives and the construction finally begins in the Vayakhel portion, the very first thing Moses does isn’t gathering the wooden boards, the gold, or the fabrics.
The Torah describes one simple yet powerful moment: “And Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel.” First and foremost, he gathers the people. Moses is actually teaching us a profound lesson here: to build a holy space, before you raise the walls, you have to build the community. A physical structure, no matter how magnificent or elaborate, is still just a building. It remains empty if there isn’t a living human community to fill it with life, meaning, and a sense of belonging. The true Tabernacle isn’t the structure – it’s the people.
And that is exactly what we felt here tonight. The Beit Bina we are establishing here in Puerto Viejo is our own “Vayakhel” right in the middle of the jungle. We are building a sanctuary here that is, above all else, a place to gather. The walls around us, the wooden beams, the roof – they matter much less. What truly turns this place into a home, what infuses it with the holiness, the joy, and the warmth of Shabbat, are the people filling this space right now.
Every single one of you who came here tonight, who paused your travels or your daily routine to share a meal, a conversation, and Kiddush with us – you are the ones building our community.
So thank you to everyone who came to “Vayakhel” with us tonight, for bringing your light to this table, and for making this place feel like home, even if just for a few hours. Shabbat Shalom!
Dor Posner is an experienced director in international Relations and Jewish youth movements. His journey – from Israel Scouts to the World Scout Movemnet – has shaped his understanding of Jewish Peoplehood, Israel, and global communities. Passionate about connecting people, Dor’s work spans leadership, youth exchanges, and fostering understanding across borders. Dor’s M.A. in Jewish Peoplehood from Haifa University has enriched his understanding of Jewish identity and global connections.