Once in the desert and having received the 10 Commandments, the Jews are told to start building a “dwelling place” for Divine Presence. To start the process everyone (every man to be precise) is asked to bring an offering, but only if they wish.

From these gifts, the precious vessels and separate parts of the Mishkan were made.

Repeatedly, Moshe is told to make certain objects:

וְעָשִׂיתָ – And thou shalt make

Interestingly enough, it seems that nothing was actually made by Moses himself. The man who made (or managed the process of making) was Betzalel – בְּצַלְאֵל. It is, of course, proper to note here the similarity that even an untrained in Hebrew ear can catch – Betzalel – בצלם אלקים b’Tzelem Elokim – in the Divine Image. The man who was capable of making things for the Divine dwelling had to be the “closest” to the Divine Image.

Do you think I am dwelling in this tent?

You believe it a  house? For me?

You are building for you. To see how the world functions. With My shefa

“By engaging in the practicalities of building a home for God, the Jewish people came together – each contributing their time or possessions. Collective action in building the Tabernacle enabled them to build a sustainable nation; by engaging in common task and goal they became one people.”

Today, when not only the world seems to turn against us full force, again, but we ourselves seem to have lost contact with each other, my prayer is – let us become one people again, understanding that we have only on Source of strength. And if we do disagree sometimes, let it always be for the sake of heaven:

Shabbat Shalom!