In the first aliyah G-d instructs Moshe to take a freewill offering of every man, of contributions of gold, silver, copper, and other precious materials to be used for the sanctuary and the priestly garments.

G-d says, "Make me a sanctuary, that I will dwell in them" (the plural "them" indicates all Jewish households, which, when run according to Torah law, G-d is saying that He will dwell in each of them).

This aliyah also contains the instructions for building the ark for the luchos (tablets) that have yet to be given to the Jews.