- Family and Society
- The Temple and Sacrifices
The temple as a model of the universe
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 โtzimtzumโ, where God designates one place to, as if it were, โconcentrateโ His Divine Presence, for us to โmeetโ with Him. This corresponds to the kabbalistic idea according to which God did a similar โtzimtzumโ when He created the world, as if it were, โconcentratingโ 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 โtzimtzumโ.
This doesnโt mean that these buildings were a replica or model for the universe, but itโs a figurative and symbolic parallel.