"These are the precepts of the Tabernacle [mishkan], the Tabernacle of testimony." (Ex. 38:21)
Everyone knows the rabbinic teaching on this verse--"the Tabernacle [mishkan], the Tabernacle" mentioned twice, for twice it was taken in pledge (nitmashken) on account of our sins (Tanhuma Pekudey 5). The same idea is in the Talmud (b. 'Eruvin 2a)--why is the Temple referred to as mishkan? When our sins multiplied and our debt grew, it was taken in pledge for our sins. For this reason we live in exile in the physical realm.
This applies to our spiritual life as well, as each of us can discover within our own self. The holy books teach that everything written about this mishkan applies to every person as well.
To understand this you must realize that spiritual exile is just as real, and even more so, than physical exile. Spiritual exile refers to the imprisonment and concealing of the inner point of vitality by multiple garments and coverings...as it says: "I will conceal, conceal My face at that time" (Deut. 31:18). The Master of the universe [or cosmic single One] dwells concealed behind many coverings created by the dominance of the material world and by the ascendency of the seven evil attributes. The "seven nations" regarding which we are commanded, "Leave none of them alive, totally destroy them" (Deut. 20:16-17), are a way of speaking about these evil attributes. This is because they are always in opposition to the inner core of life in a person, and the "exile" of a person's spiritual vitality is caused by these seven attributes and their derivatives.
In our physical exile we are dispersed among seventy nations, all branches of the original seven. This is because in the world of evil, things are forever separating; it is a world of fragmentation. On the other hand, in the realm of holiness everything comes together in simple unity...This should be the guiding principle of your service [spiritual work] as you attempt to redeem your soul and life-force down to its innermost point, freeing it from external forces. Thus you bring [your inner] mishkan back into light and eternal freedom.
A powerful lender who is compassionate toward his debtor might allow the pledge (mashkon) to be left in the borrower's home, set aside in a special place not to be touched until the loan is paid back. Then the pledge can be used again, and the borrower is redeemed from his pledge.
Thus the BeSHT says: The verse "my soul's redemption is near" (Ps. 69:19) teaches that just as there is a general redemption for all of Israel, so also there is individual redemption for each soul of Israel. Despite what you know of your own coarseness and how immersed you are in the material world, devote your entire will and all your heart constantly to find healing for your soul, to set her free. This involves breaking through the body and material tendencies until you reach their Root in the supreme worlds, the world of freedom.
Everyone knows the rabbinic teaching on this verse--"the Tabernacle [mishkan], the Tabernacle" mentioned twice, for twice it was taken in pledge (nitmashken) on account of our sins (Tanhuma Pekudey 5). The same idea is in the Talmud (b. 'Eruvin 2a)--why is the Temple referred to as mishkan? When our sins multiplied and our debt grew, it was taken in pledge for our sins. For this reason we live in exile in the physical realm.
This applies to our spiritual life as well, as each of us can discover within our own self. The holy books teach that everything written about this mishkan applies to every person as well.
To understand this you must realize that spiritual exile is just as real, and even more so, than physical exile. Spiritual exile refers to the imprisonment and concealing of the inner point of vitality by multiple garments and coverings...as it says: "I will conceal, conceal My face at that time" (Deut. 31:18). The Master of the universe [or cosmic single One] dwells concealed behind many coverings created by the dominance of the material world and by the ascendency of the seven evil attributes. The "seven nations" regarding which we are commanded, "Leave none of them alive, totally destroy them" (Deut. 20:16-17), are a way of speaking about these evil attributes. This is because they are always in opposition to the inner core of life in a person, and the "exile" of a person's spiritual vitality is caused by these seven attributes and their derivatives.
In our physical exile we are dispersed among seventy nations, all branches of the original seven. This is because in the world of evil, things are forever separating; it is a world of fragmentation. On the other hand, in the realm of holiness everything comes together in simple unity...This should be the guiding principle of your service [spiritual work] as you attempt to redeem your soul and life-force down to its innermost point, freeing it from external forces. Thus you bring [your inner] mishkan back into light and eternal freedom.
A powerful lender who is compassionate toward his debtor might allow the pledge (mashkon) to be left in the borrower's home, set aside in a special place not to be touched until the loan is paid back. Then the pledge can be used again, and the borrower is redeemed from his pledge.
Thus the BeSHT says: The verse "my soul's redemption is near" (Ps. 69:19) teaches that just as there is a general redemption for all of Israel, so also there is individual redemption for each soul of Israel. Despite what you know of your own coarseness and how immersed you are in the material world, devote your entire will and all your heart constantly to find healing for your soul, to set her free. This involves breaking through the body and material tendencies until you reach their Root in the supreme worlds, the world of freedom.
Here we see a clear example of the Hasidic way of refocusing Jewish tradition on the internal spiritual work of the individual. Without ignoring the historical reality of exile, the "real" story of the destruction of the Temple is the individual experience of alienation, of living in a fragmented world and life. Only through overcoming personal weaknesses that stand between you and the experience of the unity of all being can "personal redemption" be achieved. All your qualities can be raised up and returned to their sublime Source, the root of all freedom.