The Mishkan is Spiritual More than Physical

This week’s Parsha discusses the technical aspects of the building of the Mishkan and God states regarding the Mishkan that; “they will make me a sanctuary and I will come”. However, the use of word “and” in this context raises a question: Why does it not say, “They shall make me a sanctuary so that I will dwell among them”? What significance lies in the apparent conditionality of the passuk?

The Torah’s choice of language invites us to contemplate a deeper meaning of the word of the passuk. It forces us to understand that the act of creating a sanctuary is not simply a physical construction project; rather, it is a profound spiritual endeavor that involves the intertwining of God and human effort. In emphasizing, “They shall make me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them,” the Torah unveils a partnership between us and God. It implies that the physical structure alone does not guarantee the presence of the Divine; it is up to our investment in the process that invites the Shechinah (Divine Presence) to be a part of our sanctuary.

This condition expressed in the Torah should serve as a spiritual invitation, urging us to understand that our actions have a direct impact on the manifestation of God in our lives.

In today’s days, we don’t have a physical Mishkan or Beit HaMikdash, but we do have the opportunity to build our personal sanctuary. We must remember that it is not merely about constructing physical structures but rather about crafting spaces where we have the opportunity to invite God into.

Yes, we can make things that are halachically Kosher, but will the Shechinah come here?

More often than not, it’s not about whether a place is physically kosher, but rather if the place is spiritually Kosher so the Shechinah will feel comfortable being. Yet since what makes something spiritually kosher isn’t nearly as defined as making something physically kosher, we most definitely have our work cut out for us.

Shabbat Shalom and good luck!