And I Shall Dwell Within1 min read

“Make for Me a temple and I shall dwell among them. Like all I am showing you… so shall it be made.”

Noting the apparent form disagreement between the singular “mikdash” and the plural “b’socham”, the tzaddikim teach that in addition to commanding us to build a physical temple, Hashem is charging us with transforming our lives into a resting place for His Presence in action, thought, and word; “and I shall dwell within them”; “within each and every Jew”. Looking closer at the verses, we encounter another difficulty. Why does Hashem interrupt His command to construct a Mishkan in the highly specific manner (that will soon be described) with the words “and I shall dwell within”? Wouldn’t it have been more appropriate to say, “Make for Me a temple, like all I am showing you…so shall it be made”, and only then “and I shall dwell within”?

Perhaps it is possible to answer with the following. Avodas Hashem is broad, detailed, and demanding. There are so many different levels within prayer, Torah study, and mitzvah observance; each of which draws Hashem deeper into our hearts, minds, and general experience. However, in these verses, Hashem is teaching us that while we certainly must strive for highest standard of serving Him, it doesn’t take perfection to invite Him into our lives. “V’asu li Mikdash”: the moment a Jew gathers his strength and resolves to transform his life into a temple for Hashem, no matter how imperfect, “v’shachanti  b’socham”: Hashem’s Presence descends to encourage and assist him. Only once this has been established does the Torah continue with the details of exactly how the Mishkan is to be made, “K’chol asher Ani mareh os’cha”.