"Let them make Me a sanctuary, so that I might dwell among them." The Torah selection of Terumah begins with the call to build the Mishkan, the tabernacle of the wilderness. The building of the sanctuary raises the issue whether G-d can actually be physically "housed" within a structure or whether individuals need a physical space set aside for worship. Our sages were sophisticated in their response. The holiness of G-d obviously, is transcendent above any physical edifice. However, human beings sometimes require a spiritual space to capture and to focus upon their religious life.

Our sages felt that G-d's presence would be felt in the Mishkan when the community of Israel devoted itself to a life of holiness. G-d would dwell in the Tabernacle of Israel when the people followed the teachings and the commandments. The outward beauty of the Tabernacle was secondary to its primary function, the commitment to the sacred way of life.

The Hassidic master Mendel of Kotzk once asked, "Where does G-d dwell?" The learned scholars laughed at the Hassidic rebbe. They responded, "What a thing to ask! Is not the whole world full of G-d's glory?" Rebbe Mendel answered, "G-d dwells wherever we let G-d in." G-d's presence is dependent upon humanity's invitation to let Him enter as an invited guest.

The Torah selection shares the vivid details of the construction of the Tabernacle. It affords Israel the opportunity to focus upon her relationship with G-d. However, it is only a means to an end. The ultimate goal for Israel is the pursuit of a life of holiness. The midrash captures the difference between the sanctuary as a means of the pursuit of the religious life and the final goal of the spiritual transformation of the nation. The nation of Israel says to G-d, "Shouldn't You, our Ruler, have such a palace? G-d responds, "My children, I have no need for such a place. After all, I do not eat or drink. Obviously, however, you have a need for such a place. It will help you experience Me. For that reason, build a sanctuary and I will dwell in your midst."

The sanctuary has served and continues to serve many functions for Israel. It has represented Israel's legacy, her past inspiration, which is with us for all eternity. The Tabernacle is a shrine of the earliest communication between G-d and the nation. When we come into a sacred place, our roots and our legacy are clearly manifest to us.

Secondly, the sanctuary is the source of our values. It is the origin of the eternal teachings that continue to inspire us. It is not the voice of the popular or the up-to-date. Rather, the sanctuary stands for G-d's teachings.

The sanctuary makes us aware that we are part of something greater than ourselves. The Tabernacle teaches us that we must seek to transcend what is petty and insignificant in our lives. It instructs us to reach beyond ourselves.

Finally, the Tabernacle shares a lesson of Jewish unity. What unites our people first and foremost, is that we are a community of faith.

As we read of the construction of the Tabernacle of the wilderness, let us think of the sanctuary we would like to build in our own lives. We seek to be rooted in our past and informed by the truths of our tradition. We seek to reach out to what is holy and to create a sacred community. These goals are the genuine building blocks of the sanctuary.

Rabbi Pinchas Peli taught, "The Tabernacle was not a dwelling place for G-d but a place set aside for people to come and experience more intensely the in-dwelling presence of G-d in the world at large." The sanctuary still affords us the same opportunity today.