The Torah goes into great detail about the construction of the mobile temporary temple that the Jews built in the desert. Every year we learn about these events over and over again. However, other than in the writing of the prophets, the Torah does not tell us anything about the actual temple which was built by King Solomon in Jerusalem.
Seems like the temporary dwelling that our ancestors built for G-d in the desert has much more significance to us than the temples that were built in Jerusalem. Why would that be?
The desert temple was mobile, it was built in a way that it could be taken down and then put back together as they traveled. It was designed by G-d to be geographically temporary in order that it can travel along with the people but can be permanent in their hearts.
Indeed G-d tells Moses, “speak to the Jewish people and tell them to construct a temple for me so that I may dwell amongst them” meaning that the temple was just a temple, but G-ds desire was to live amongst the people and as our sages explain, G-d wants to live within each and every one of us.
The mobile design of the temple was precisely to send this message, that one must not search for holiness beyond one's own heart and soul. Yes, there are holy places designated for holy service and prayers, but G-d resides inside of us, if only we allow him to by building a temple within our lives for him.
That’s why we learn about the mobile temple each year in the Torah.
So, wherever we go, we take G-d with us, because there is nothing He wants more than to be with us.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Directors
Shabbos Times
Friday, February 24 Candle Lighting: 5:24pm
Evening service: 5:25pm
Saturday, February 25 Morning service: 10:00am
Kiddush Brunch: 12:00pm Evening service: 5:30pm
Shabbos ends: 6:24pm
Daily Minyan Times
February 26- March 3
Sunday Morning: 8:00am
Monday- Friday Morning: 7:00am
Sunday- Thursday Evening: 5:35pm
A BISSELE HUMOR
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go camping together, they put up a tent and go inside to enjoy a tranquil rest near the fire. In middle of the night, Sherlock turns to Dr. Watson and says, "So what are you thinking about now"?
Watson responds: "Sherlock! This is awesome. I'm gazing at the celestial stars hovering above us, I'm overwhelmed by the romantic splendor of the night, and I'm engulfed by the picturesque view of the double Decker.
"And what are you thinking about"? asks Watson.
"That someone stole our tent," Sherlock replies.
WEEKLY eTORAH
Can human beings really build a House for G‑d? King Solomon himself questioned this when he built the very first Holy Temple in Jerusalem. “The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this house I have built!”
And yet, the Almighty Himself instructs us to do just that: “And they shall make Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them.” How are we to understand that the Infinite Creator can be contained in a physical house built by finite men and women?
Let’s do what Jews have always done and answer this question with another one.
Why is the Sanctuary described in this week’s reading so small? One would imagine that the very first House of G‑d would have been spectacular. Yes, it was a portable temple which needed to be erected and dismantled regularly over 40 years in the wilderness, but still. It was smaller than a starter home! A roof of animal skins, held together with bolts and nuts, hooks, pegs and sockets. And while it was, admittedly, covered in gold, it was a far cry from the magnificent palaces and citadels of others.
The moral of the story? G‑d does not require spectacular spires or museums to house His holy presence. Where is He found? In the nitty-gritty nuts and bolts of a simple synagogue.
The Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad chassidism, once said:
Avodah—true service of G‑d—does not imply, as some think, altogether erroneously, that one must pulverize mountains and shatter boulders, or turn the whole world upside down.
No!
The absolute truth is that any act is perfectly satisfactory when performed with authenticity and true intent. A blessing pronounced with concentration, a word of prayer as it should be with awareness of “before Whom you stand,” a passage in Chumash while being aware that it is the word of G‑d, a verse of Psalms, an act of kindness and compassion expressed in befriending another person with love and affection.
It is precisely the small things that build the Sanctuary of G‑d and bring heaven down to earth. G‑d is not looking for grandeur or opulence, but the ordinary acts of sanctity and spirituality, goodness and kindness that make our world a better, more G‑dly place—a holy house where He feels most comfortable.
Let us make Him our own little sanctuaries and He will dwell among us.
-adapted from www.chabad.org
