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Parshat Terumah
2007
Personal Instructions for Sacred Space
The majority of Parshat Terumah’s three verses are a detailed set of instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle. God speaks to Moses, instructing him to collect the supplies from the Children of Israel. God says: “They shall make a Sanctuary for me – so that I may dwell among them. […] Exactly as I show you, so shall you make it.”
Commentators take note of one particular piece of this statement. As opposed to saying, make a sanctuary for me and I will dwell in it, God specifically states “I will dwell among them.” Rabbi Chaim Berlin understands this to mean that God is literally dwelling within each and every person, not within the Tabernacle itself. Rabbi Noson Weisz takes this notion a step further asserting that every Jew is “a living tabernacle in miniature” – God can and will dwell among us and is not tied to a particular specific place.
What follows in the Parsha is a litany of extremely specific instructions and materials to be used. However, there is still a striking simplicity about what it takes to create a sacred space for God to dwell among the Jewish people. In theory, all it takes to create a sacred space is to follow the directions! Amazing, since so few of the so-called important things in life come with directions. Therefore, maybe God has set an example for us in creating a set of instructions for the creation of a sacred space and it is our responsibility to develop a personal set of instructions for the sacred space in our own lives.
As Hillel professionals, we have lists and lists of what we can, should or wish we could get done in a work day. We add things to the list faster than we can cross them off, re-prioritize daily and involve ourselves in multiple projects and tasks because they all need to get done – they are all important. When it comes to our personal lives, our non-work selves, how many of us do the same? Sure, we may write lists of the errands that need to be done, the bills that need to be paid or the groceries that need to be bought, but when it comes to truly making the most of our personal time, do we put in the same kind of energy?
How many times have you heard someone who’s just come back from a vacation say, “It was great, but I need another vacation to recover?” How many times have you said it yourself? How many times have you said your weekend was “too short” or that you “just don’t know where the time went?” What would it take to truly be satisfied with the time we spend away from work?
Perhaps, a detailed set of directions? Think of a time when you were truly relaxed… think of a time when you were truly refreshed… when you felt God “dwelling among you.” Building from that, what elements were present in those moments that you can learn from? For some, it may be the place matters most. For others, maybe the people they’re with is the most important aspect. For others still, maybe the activity they’re engaging in matters most. For each person the elements may be different, but what matters most is to know what works for you.
Imagine how much easier it might be to create a set of “directions and required materials” for your sacred spaces. This could serve as a reminder at times when you’re feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or underappreciated – a reminder that your sacred space isn’t out of reach, but maybe you forgot the directions. Our personal sacred space isn’t too far out of reach – we can each be “a living tabernacle in miniature” – we just need to remind ourselves how to put it together.
Written by Katie Wexler, Senior International Division Associate,
Hillel's Charles and Lynn Schusterman International Center
Learn More
Additional commentaries and text studies on Parshat Terumah at MyJewishLearning.com.
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