Ask the Rabbi

  • Family and Society
  • The Temple and Sacrifices

The temple as a model of the universe

undefined

Rabbi Ari Shvat

Tishrei 29, 5775
Question
Was the Jewish Temple a model or replica of the whole universe?
Answer
The Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem and the mishkan (Holy Tabernacle) which preceded it, are a form of โ€œtzimtzumโ€, where God designates one place to, as if it were, โ€œconcentrateโ€ His Divine Presence, for us to โ€œmeetโ€ with Him. This corresponds to the kabbalistic idea according to which God did a similar โ€œtzimtzumโ€ when He created the world, as if it were, โ€œconcentratingโ€ Himself to appear in a limited place. Accordingly, we understand why the 39 creative-acts prohibited on Shabbat are exactly those 39 which were used to construct the Mishkan, for Shabbat brings us back to the pre-creation Godliness which abounded before that original โ€œtzimtzumโ€. This doesnโ€™t mean that these buildings were a replica or model for the universe, but itโ€™s a figurative and symbolic parallel.
ืืช ื”ืžื™ื“ืข ื”ื“ืคืกืชื™ ื‘ืืžืฆืขื•ืช ืืชืจ yeshiva.org.il