יהוה (God) spoke to Moses, saying:
Know, my child, that any commandment that God requires of humankind comes only out of God's desire to benefit us... God's command to build the Tabernacle, for us to offer therein our prayers and sacrifices, comes not out of God's needs to dwell in an earthly dwelling among humankind, but rather [out of God's awareness that we need] train our own selves...
...Each one of us needs to build God a Tabernacle in the recesses of our hearts, by preparing oneself to become a Sanctuary for God and a place for the dwelling of God's glory.
Tracy McMullen, Associate Professor of American Vernacular Music at Bowdoin College writes in her essay “The Improvisative,”:
“What if we had a different conception of the Other [audience/listener]? - Not the one for which we always perform, for which we want recognition and acknowledgment. What if we conceived of the Other as the one to which we give?”
Ulysses Dove, Choreographer of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company
"Nothing to prove, everything to share."
1. If we know God is not limited to any one physical space, why then does God command the Israelites to build a physical sanctuary?
2. Why does God specify that Moses shall only accept gifts from those "whose heart so moves them"? What might it look like to prepare oneself to become a sanctuary?
3. What is the significance of the word "among"? Have you ever felt the presence of Shechinah in community? Where/when do you feel a sense of love and connection in community?
Miranda Mower, on Exodus 25:8
“Shechinah” meaning “Divine Presence” is derived from V’shachanti" meaning “dwell." This divine presence dwells among us in our sacred spaces - those spaces in which we share our gifts freely with each other. God could have said “And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell in it.” Implying the physical temple as God’s home. Or God could have said: “And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell in them.” Implying God resides within each of us separately when we visit the temple. But God said, “And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.”
God wants us to build a sanctuary not for him, but for us. A sanctuary where he is a member, just like you and me. A place to share our unique gifts freely with each other.
And in this sharing, God dwells.
Instructions:
As we journey on our walk, collect any items along the way that speak to you- these can be anything found in nature. Reflect on the object you are holding. Speak out loud to God or to yourself. If you choose, you may find your chevruta and discuss these questions with them. Once you have concluded your discussion and have made it to the top of the hill, rejoin the group in a circle.
- What drew you to your item? What is its original purpose? How old do you think it is?
- How can it be used to create sanctuary? Think outside of the box!
- What gifts/character traits/talents of your own can be used to create sanctuary?
- Do you find you are moved to share these gifts? What might be holding you back?
Pure and holy, tried and true
And in thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you.
Ve-asu li mikdash
Ve-shachanti be-tocham
Ve-a-nach-nu ne-var-ech Yah
May-atah ve-ad o-lam.