In this week’s parsha, Hashem commands the b’nei Yisrael to build a Mishkan, saying, “V’asu Li mikdash veshachanti b’socham”, “Make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell besocham“. Although the Mishkan was a single building, the word “Besocham”, “and I will dwell within it”, is plural, which, rendered literally, reads “and I will dwell within them.” Our sages teach that the reason for this plural form is that in addition to dwelling in the physical Mishkan, Hashem intends to…

This week’s parsha opens with the commandment of “Vayikchu li Terumah”, “And take for Me an offering”, the contributions made by each individual Jew to the Mishkan. Rashi comments on the word “li” with a single word – “L’shmi”, “For My Name’s sake”. The contributions were to be given with intent to honor and glorify the Master of the world. Many of the commentators note the strange wording of “Vayikchu li”, “And take for me.” Wouldn’t it have been more…

“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”.…

You shall make the beams for the Mishkan of acacia wood, upright. In this week’s parsha, Hashem commands the b’nei Yisrael to build a Mishkan, saying “V’asu Li mikdash veshachanti b’socham”, “Make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell within it (besocham)“. Although the Mishkan was a single structure, the word “Besocham”, “and I will dwell within it”, is plural, which, rendered literally, reads, “and I will dwell within them.” Our sages teach that the reason for this plural…