Building Our Personal Mikdash To Specification
The command to build the Mishkan introduced one of the most complex ideas for the human mind. The creation of a physical edifice that’s sole purpose was to contain the manifestation of HaShem in this world. Questions like, how can a physical edifice not only contain HaShem’s presence but also be worthy of such a sublime function, has resonated among Torah scholars through the ages. In fact, in an attempt to provide clarity the Torah renames the House of HaShem Mikdosh, a name that has stuck for all times. The name Mikdosh implies more than just a place to dwell, it connotes a place of great sanctity. It may have had a physical form and was made of physical materials, but it was not of this world.
Rashi in his commentary on Chumash saw from the structure of the textual reference to build the Mishkan an understanding that begins to explain these ideas. The Torah states, “ build for me a sanctuary and I will dwell in their midst; entirely the way I am showing you…” Rashi explained that the phrase, “entirely the way I am showing you”, refers to the first phrase, “Make for Me a Mikdosh”. In other words, according to Rashi, the message is that Israel should build for HaShem a place to reside in this world exactly according to His specifications.
HaRav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l found a difficulty with Rashi’s understanding of the text and he derived from it a most profound insight into the Mishkan and the personal Mishkan of every Jew. HaRav Moshe pointed out that the words, “ …and I will dwell in their midst” interrupts between “build for me a sanctuary” and “entirely the way I am showing you…” He suggests that the meaning of the pasuk is that the functionality of the Mishkan, being fit to house the Presence of HaShem was only possible when the physical edifice was built exactly according to His specifications. If there would be any deviation from what HaShem directed them, His Presence would not have descended on the Mishkan.
HaRav Moshe suggested that implied by the Torah stating that in order for the Mishkan’s physical properties to become endowed with the sanctity of the other world HaShem’s prescribed specifications had to be met, that in other situations prescribed specifications are not relevant. HaRav Moshe contended that the implication is of the Mishkan of every individual Jew- his miniature mikdash that it follows the specifications of each and every individual. In other words, the formula for each individual to become imbued with kedusha in order to be a receptacle for Hashem’s presence depends on his own personality and spiritual endowments. The individualized formula approach encourages individuals to really know their lives guiding principles, values and the entire array of cognitive strengths, intelligences and all other talents and skills and apply them all in his quest to become at one with HaShem.
HaRav Moshe further explained for those of us who dedicate our lives to raising and educating children, which is most of us, our personal sanctity depends on our success in fulfilling our life’s calling. It means that besides knowing and utilizing all of our own endowments, we are dependent on the individual properties of our children and students. What HaRav Moshe is conveying is the message of “educating a child according to his way”. If we are not successful because we didn’t consider the ways of our students and children when we attempted to influence them towards a relationship with HaShem, then we are held accountable and will be lacking in our own service to HaShem.
This insight by HaRav Moshe raises the chinuch guidance of Shlomo HaMelech, “educate a child according to his way” to a spiritual imperative for our children and us. HaRav Kalonymous Kalman Shapira z”l, the author of Chovos HaTalmidim shared HaRav Moshe’s sentiment. He said that Shlomo HaMelech is teaching us that we should not teach two children the same thing in the same way if we hope to be truly successful with them.
Our imperative is to learn and understand as much as we can in Al Pi Darko and introduce our children to this beautiful and effective approach to chinuch.