Parashat Vayakhel -He Assembled-5785-22 March 2025 / 22 Adar 5785

Building the Mishkan, Building the Soul – The Blueprint for Divine Presence

Parashat Vayakhel teaches that building a physical structure for Hashem is a reflection of building our own inner Mishkan—a sanctuary for the Divine within our souls. By embracing unity, upholding Shabbat, giving with a generous heart, and striving for divine wisdom, we prepare the world for the ultimate redemption when Hashem’s presence will fill all of creation.

Welcome to Beit Yisrael International’s Voice of Torah Podcast! Today Parashat Vayakhel is more than the construction of a Mishkan—it’s a blueprint for divine presence in our lives. Moses gathers (Vayakhel) Bnei Yisrael, teaching that unity creates a dwelling for Hashem. Shabbat reminds us to sanctify time, and the Mishkan’s construction, led by Betzalel and Oholiav, shows how to elevate the physical into holiness.

We, too, are builders—through Torah, mitzvot, and acts of kindness, preparing for the ultimate revelation of Hashem in the Third Beit HaMikdash.

Just as the Mishkan stood as a testimony to Hashem’s dwelling among us, so too, our lives must reflect His light. May we merit to build our own inner sanctuary and prepare for the final Geulah, when Hashem’s presence will be fully revealed in the world!

May we merit to transform our lives into a sanctuary for Hashem’s presence!

The Mishkan as the Soul’s Inner Structure

The construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) is one of the most profound themes in Torah, holding within it secrets of divine immanence, the structure of creation, and the ultimate purpose of humanity. The Mishkan is not just a historical dwelling place for the Shekhinah—it is a blueprint for transforming the physical world into a vessel for divine revelation. Through the lens of Chassidut and Kabbalah, we can explore its hidden dimensions and the deeper role of Betzalel, the chief architect of the Mishkan.

The Mishkan: A Microcosm of Creation

“See that you make them after the pattern that is being shown to you on the mountain” (Ex. 25:40).

According to the Zohar (2:152b), the Mishkan was a replica of the supernal worlds. Just as Hashem created the world through ten utterances (Ma'amarot), the Mishkan was built through ten specific dibrot (commands). This corresponds to the Ten Sefirot, the divine attributes that structure creation:

The Holy of Holies—Corresponds to Keter (Divine Will) and Chokhmah (Wisdom), the innermost place where G-d's presence is most concentrated.
The Menorah—Corresponds to Binah (Understanding), illuminating the mind and soul with divine wisdom.
The Shulchan (Table with Showbread)—Corresponds to Chesed (Kindness) and Malchut (Kingship), drawing down divine abundance into the world.
The Outer Courtyard—Corresponds to Netzach (Endurance) and Hod (Splendor), refining the lower aspects of existence through offerings and sacrifices.

The Arizal (Sha'ar HaKavanot) teaches that the Mishkan was a tikkun (rectification) for the breaking of the vessels (Shevirat HaKeilim)—the primordial cosmic shattering that occurred before creation was fully rectified. Each vessel of the Mishkan symbolized the process of elevating the sparks (nitzotzot) of holiness and restoring unity between the upper and lower worlds.

The Mishkan as the Soul’s Inner Structure

The Chassidic masters, particularly the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Likutei Sichot, Vol. 6), explain that the Mishkan is a reflection of the human soul. Just as there was a Holy of Holies in the Mishkan, there is a Holy of Holies within each person—the innermost part of the soul, known as the Yechidah, where the essence of the divine presence resides.

Three Levels of Divine Service

The Holy of Holies (Mochin D’Gadlut – Expanded Consciousness)
- Represents the mind’s ability to connect to divine wisdom (Chokhmah, Binah, Da’at).
- This is where the Torah (the Ark) was kept, symbolizing the soul’s connection to absolute truth.
The Inner Chamber (Heart & Emotions – Middot)
- Represents the Menorah (light of understanding) and Shulchan (sustenance and divine blessing).
- This is the realm of Chesed, Gevurah, and Tiferet—the emotions of love, awe, and balance in divine service.
The Outer Courtyard (Action – Physical Mitzvot)
- Represents the world of action (Netzach, Hod, Yesod, Malchut).
- The sacrifices brought here symbolize the refinement of the animal soul.

The Tanya (Likkutei Amarim, Ch. 29) explains that each Jew has an inner Mishkan, and through Torah and mitzvot, one builds a personal dwelling place for the Shekhinah.

The Mishkan and the Future Beit HaMikdash

The Zohar (3:221a) teaches that the Mishkan was only a temporary vessel, while the future Beit HaMikdash of Mashiach will be the ultimate dwelling of the Shekhinah. The Midrash (Tanchuma, Naso 11) states that Betzalel’s spiritual wisdom will return in the times of redemption, when the Third Temple will descend fully constructed from above (Bamidbar Rabbah 12:13).

According to the Arizal (Sha'ar HaGilgulim, Ch. 67), the soul of Betzalel is connected to the soul of Mashiach ben David, as both are builders of divine reality. Just as Betzalel transformed divine vision into a tangible sanctuary, Mashiach will transform the world into a divine dwelling place, fulfilling the prophecy:

"The earth will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem, as waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9).

Conclusion: Becoming Betzalel in Our Own Lives

The lesson of Betzalel and the Mishkan is that each of us is a builder of holiness in this world. We are tasked with transforming our physical existence into a Mishkan for Hashem—through Torah, mitzvot, and refining our character.

Wisdom (Chokhmah)—Seeking divine knowledge.
Understanding (Binah)—Internalizing and deepening our connection.
Manifestation (Da’at)—Bringing divine reality into action.

In doing so, we prepare the world for the final redemption, when the Mishkan of the heavens will merge fully with the Mishkan of the earth, and the divine presence will dwell openly among us.

MISHKAN AND SABBATH:

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