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However, learning about the Tabernacle can provide us with far
more than insight into the synagogue’s layout and our prayers. The tetzaVeh הֶּו ַצ ְּ ת
Tabernacle’s physical layout contains a multitude of lessons, from
the moral to the ethical, from the practical to the mystical. Every
facet of the blueprints for building the Tabernacle has tremendous
meaning, from the structure’s measurements to the materials and
A Dwelling Place
colors chosen, and even where every component was placed. Indeed, £A Dwelling Place A Dwelling Place A Dwelling Place
££A Dwelling Place A Dwelling Place £
£
the Talmud (Berachot 55a) teaches that Bezalel was able to construct
in the L
in the Lower Worlds
the Tabernacle because he understood the secrets of the Hebrew in the Lower Worldsower Worlds
letters, the same letters with which God created heaven and earth.
The Sages considered the Tabernacle to be a microcosm of creation;
therefore, the commentators throughout the ages have expounded The portion of Tetzaveh begins with God instructing Moses to command
upon the profound meanings inherent in the Tabernacle’s very the people to bring pure olive oil to light the lamps of the menorah.
construction and its accompanying service. Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh points out that the numerical value of the
opening words “And you shall command” (ve’atah tetzaveh) is 913, the
same as the numerical value of the Torah’s first word “bereishit” (in
the beginning). He further explains that the letters of the word ve’atah
(and you) when permuted read ta’avah (passion). Although initially
££Giving and Taking
£Giving and TakingGiving and Taking it may be difficult to see any connection between the phrases “and
you shall command” and “in the beginning” and the word “passion”
– which only seem to be linked by letter permutations and numerical
“And God spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel values – upon deeper reflection a profound idea is revealed.
and let them take for Me a contribution, from every person whose The Sages and subsequent Jewish thinkers have postulated various
heart is willing, you shall take My contribution’” (Exodus 25:1-2). explanations for why God created the world. The verse, “They will
The portion of Terumah begins with God asking Moses to solicit make for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst,” discussed
voluntary contributions for the building of the Tabernacle. The in the previous portion, alludes to perhaps the deepest reason given
verse emphasizes that the donations should be given willingly by by the Sages for God’s creation of the world: “God had a passion
those truly motivated to participate.
to have for Himself a dwelling place in the lower worlds” (Midrash
Many commentators point out that the phrase used in the verse – Tanchuma, Naso 16).
“let them take for Me” – seems counterintuitive. If God is asking the Given this explanation, the Tabernacle clearly represents the
people to “give to Him,” why does the verse state that they are to “take fulfillment of God’s “passion” to have a dwelling place in the lower
for Me”? The answer sheds light on the very nature of benevolence worlds. He commands the children of Israel to build him a place
and is easily understood by anyone who has experienced the warm where, on the one hand, He could be approached and tangibly
feeling of giving. By giving of one’s time, money, or energy to others, experienced, and, on the other hand, where in a deeply mysterious
one is actually receiving as well. In other words, by assisting others way, He could, as it were, approach and experience His creation.
we often take or receive more than we give, as our hearts fill with That was the function of the Tabernacle and the Temples, to serve as
sentiments of love and goodness. This is confirmed by the Sage’s

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