What was the Mishkan?

Earlier in Exodus we hear the command: “Make for Me a mikdash, a holy place, and I will dwell (“veshachanti”) among them. (Ex. 25:8)” The word “Mishkan” shares the same root as “veshachanti, and I will dwell.” The sanctuary is not magic. It does not contains God. It is a structure that increases the capacity in the community for God’s presence to be encountered.

In these two portions (and two previous ones as well) we give generously of our wealth to build the Mishkan. But only weeks earlier we also gave generously to build the golden calf. Two acts of giving. Two radically different spiritual postures.

When Moses remained unseeable, surrounded by Divine Clouds atop Sinai, the........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)