It would seem that the parshiyot of Vayakhel  and Pekudei are a mere repetition of that which has already been dealt with at length in the parshiyot of Terumah and Tezaveh. The 122 pesukim of Vayakhel seem to repeat the details of the klei hamikdash from parshat Terumah and the 92 pesukim of Pekudei seem to repeat the details of the bigdei kehunah from parshat Tezaveh.

We know that every letter in the Torah is necessary and carries with it great meaning. There are no extra letters or pesukim anywhere in the Torah. There are certainly no extra parshiyot.  If so, what is to be learned from the seemingly repetitive parshiyos of Vayakhel and Pekudei? (See Ramban 35:8, Rabeinu Bachya 35:1 and Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh 36:1,1 who all offer a similar answer to this question.)

Rav Avrohom Pam zt"l explains that there is a basic and fundamental difference between the parshiyot of Terumah-Tezaveh and Vayakhel-Pekudei. In Terumah-Tezaveh, the word "v'asita" (and you shall make) is used repeatedly to introduce Hashem's instructions on how to make the klei hamikdash and bigdei kehuna. In Vayakhel-Pekudei, the operative term is "va'ya'as" (and he made). "Va'ya'as" is continually used to describe the fact that Moshe completed the Mishkan, its keilim and the bigdei kehuna.

Every single detail, nuance, and fine measurement which was instructed to Moshe Rabeinu with a "v'asita" was accomplished – "va'ya'as". And it was all done exactly the way that was prescribed by Hakadosh Baruch Hu. The chiddush here, says Rav Pam, is that the planning became a reality; the "v'asita" became a "va'ya'as".

Too often in life we set out to accomplish bold and impressive goals, and yet fall short in seeing them to fruition. Let us all think back to the Yomim Noraim of this past year. We were all inspired to improve ourselves and make real changes in our avodas Hashem. We resolved in our hearts to spend more time learning Torah, to improve our bein adam l'chaveiro, and to daven with more kavana. They were all sincerely motivated kabalos. And yet, at this point in the year, many of us find that the inspiration has waned, and the kabalos are long forgotten. We must all stop and ask ourselves the very difficult and probing question – how much of our "v'asita" this year has translated into a "va'ya'as"?  And if we're not satisfied with our answers, let us take the opportunity now to re-commit ourselves to this awesome task – transforming the "v'asita" into a "va'ya'as".

This is the profound and eternal lesson, says Rav Pam that justifies the repetition of our two parshiyot, Vayakhel and Pekudei.

When we read about the "va'ya'as" of the mishkan this upcoming shabbos, let us aspire to build our own personal mishkan meh'at. Let us remember our inspirations and motivations we started with, and work to fulfill our dreams and goals intact and unblemished.

Have a Great Shabbos!