Sanctification of the Material as a Path to the Divine
In the weekly portion “Truma,” one of the deepest aspects of the human spiritual journey is revealed—the ability to transform the material world into a vessel for Divine light. The Almighty addresses the people of Israel with the command:
“And let them take My offering (truma) from everyone whose heart moves him to give” (Exodus 25:2).
And further it is stated:
“Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
This is one of the most enigmatic formulations in the Torah. Why is it said “among them” rather than “in it”—that is, not in the Temple itself? The answer provided by the Torah changes our understanding of service: the goal of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) is not to confine the presence of the Almighty to a specific place, but for each person to transform his heart and life into a dwelling for the Divine.
Material as a Tool for Spiritual Elevation
At first glance, the idea of constructing a temple from gold, silver, precious stones, and fabrics seems paradoxical. Should we not seek the Divine by renouncing the material world? Is not spirituality the opposite of wealth and physical attributes?
Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Cook explains this paradox as follows:
“Sacredness is not found in the negation of the material, but in its elevation. The world was not created to be fled from, but to be sanctified.”
The Torah does not require man to renounce materiality; rather, it teaches us how to make it receptive to Divine light.
The Ark of the Covenant: Harmony of the Inner and the Outer
At the center of the Mishkan stood the Ark of the Covenant—the holiest object, which housed the Tablets of the Covenant. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold both inside and out (Exodus 25:11).
This image is laden with profound symbolism. The wood represents life, movement, and growth, while gold signifies eternity, purity, and the highest spiritual radiance. The Ark teaches us that:
- Man must strive for spirituality without detaching from life. The wood is life, and the gold is sacredness; only their combination creates a holy vessel for the Covenant.
- The inner and the outer must be in harmony. The Torah requires that the gold covers the Ark not only on the outside but also on the inside. This symbolizes that a person must be honest and pure not only in appearance but also in thought and intention. As stated in the Talmud (Yoma 72b):
“One whose heart lacks truth cannot be a true vessel for the Torah.”
The Mishkan—A Model of the Universe and the Human Soul
The sages view the structure of the Mishkan not only as a Temple but also as a miniature model of the world. Each of its elements hints at the structure of the Universe, the human soul, and the very commandments of the Torah:
- The Menorah (Lamp): Symbolizes the light of wisdom and Divine revelation.
- The Altar: Serves as a reminder of self-sacrifice and the aspiration to rise.
- The Table with the Bread of the Presence: Points to the sanctification of material abundance.
Likewise, in every aspect of a person’s life, one can find the Divine if one views the world through the lens of the Torah.
The True Offering: The Revelation of the Heart
It is interesting that the command to build the Mishkan is given not as an obligation, but as a voluntary offering:
“From everyone whose heart moves him to give” (Exodus 25:2).
This demonstrates that true service to the Almighty is impossible without personal striving, without the desire of the soul. One might bring mountains of gold, but without heart, it will not become a vessel for sacredness.
Rabbi Cook emphasized:
“True sanctity is revealed not in form, but in the fire of the soul that imbues the form with meaning.”
Conclusion: Transforming the World into a Temple
The portion “Truma” reveals to us the mystery of Divine presence: the Almighty is not confined only to the heavens—He awaits the moment when man illuminates his world, transforming his everyday life into a Mishkan.
Often we think that sanctity is something distant, accessible only to great sages. Yet the Torah teaches that each of us is capable of building a Temple within our own soul.
How can we do this?
- By sanctifying our work, turning it into a means to serve goodness.
- By putting our heart into prayer, ensuring it is not mechanical but filled with a sincere desire for connection with the Creator.
- By creating an atmosphere of peace and sanctity in our home, making it a place of Divine presence.
Rabbi Cook wrote:
“He who understands that the light of the Divine can be revealed in every aspect of life already dwells in the Temple.”
The portion “Truma” teaches us not to flee from the world, but to transform it—to find sanctity within it and to make our life a vessel for Divine light.
May this lesson inspire us to build our inner Mishkan, so that the Almighty may truly say:
“I dwell among them.”
