This week we begin reading the series of parshiyot describing the construction of the Mishkan and the ceremonial clothing of the kohanim. Our mesorah emphasizes that each and every pasuk in the Torah has eternal relevance to our daily lives. What practical teachings are contained in these parshiyot that we can implement, even though we unfortunately no longer have the privilege of the Beit HaMikdash in our lives?
Chazal in the Gemara, and many biblical commentators over the centuries, have suggested symbolic meanings for the individual objects used in the Mishkan and the Beit HaMikdash, and for the religious ceremonies performed within them. Let us focus on one example from Parshat Terumah which expresses the religious philosophy of our school, and the challenge that each of us, as members of the school family, should strive to meet. וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם. כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מַרְאֶה אוֹתְךָ - אֵת תַּבְנִית הַמִּשְׁכָּן וְאֵת תַּבְנִית כָּל כֵּלָיו; וְכֵן תַּעֲשׂוּ (שמות כה:ח-ט) They shall make for me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell in their midst. Like everything that I show you - the form of the Mishkan and the form of all its vessels; so shall you do (Shemot 25:8-9)
The last phrase – ve-chein ta’asu, so shall you do – seems superfluous in light of the opening words of the pasuk. Among the many explanations that have been offered, mori ve-rabi HaRav Yitzhak Asher Twersky zt”l, the Talner Rebbe of Boston, was partial to the one presented by Reb Chayim of Volozhin in his Nefesh HaChayim. Here is my abridged translation: The essential element of sanctity, and the dwelling of G-d’s Shechinah, is [within] man. If he sanctifies himself… then he becomes the actual mikdash, and within him [dwells] G-d… Along these lines, one can interpret the pasuk “They shall make for Me a sanctuary… so shall you do.”… Don’t think that My ultimate purpose is the construction of the external sanctuary; rather, you should… see it as a model and make yourselves into the same. That you… be like the… Mishkan and its vessels… holy [and suitable]… for Me to settle My Shechinah within [each of] you.
How do we achieve this goal? One example is provided by the sign at the entrance to the Maimonides School gym, which is an excerpt from the third chapter of Rambam’s Hilchot Dei’ot. A more comprehensive citation, which includes phrases for context, is: …when he eats [and] drinks… he should not aim… just for pleasure… He should, rather, aim… to maintain his body and limbs in good health… so his mind is fit to attain to knowledge of G-d… Someone who follows this path throughout his life is always worshiping G-d, even when engaged in commerce… because his intent always is to obtain his needs, so that his body is sound for the service of G-d. Even when sleeping, if one goes to sleep with intent that his mind be composed, and his body rest and not fall ill - for [otherwise] he won’t be able to serve G-d - then his sleep becomes service of [G-d].
This relates to the school’s physical education program, and by extension to all extracurricular and sports activities. In a more encompassing example, a few weeks ago Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Jaffe began his Maimonides Reflections as follows: Each day upon entering Maimonides, students, visitors, and teachers have the chance to read the school’s statement of values, which includes the memorable line: “Torah study is enriched by our understanding of science, philosophy, literature, art, and music, which in turn is enhanced and enlightened by the teachings of Torah.”
Every aspect of our school’s multifaceted curriculum, and each minute of our lives beyond the school day, thus provides each student with the means to become a mikdash in the spirit of Reb Chayim of Volozhin’s interpretation of ve-chein ta’asu.
As we begin to read the concluding parshiyot of Sefer Shemot,and then proceed to Sefer VaYikra with its delineation of the korbanot, let us keep in mind the inspiring challenge of Reb Chayim: To utilize each dimension of our daily lives to make ourselves into a receptacle for the Shechinah. This is how the Rav zt”l and the Talner Rebbe each led their lives, and that is the vision they had for Maimonides School. I believe they would be gratified to see today the long-term results of their efforts. | 