Kiyor, Shabbat, and Betzalel - Creativity and the Mishkan

Vayakhel and Pekudei details the materials and the rituals of the Mishkan. One of the most fascinating vessels described in at the end of Vayakhel is the kiyyor (the washbasin) at the intersection of the sacred and the mundane. The washbasin was constructed from copper from the “mar’ot ha-tzov’ot”- assumed to refer to an ancient form of mirrors. Where did these mirrors come from? Who donated them? We see conflicting opinions among the commentators. We also look at the Divine inspiration of Betzalel, and the section about prohibiting melakha on Shabbat. All of these topics come together to send a message about the value of creativity and how it contributes to, and fits in with the Mishkan.