In this week’s Torah portion, the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) is described in great detail, taking up 371 sentences, while the creation of the world is described in just 32 sentences. This raises the question of why so much emphasis is given to the building of the Mishkan. The answer lies in the lesson it teaches about relationships.
The beauty and depth of the Jewish people’s relationship with God is not demonstrated through miracles or great events, but rather in the day-to-day partnership and routine interactions. The name of this portion, “Pekudai,” which can also mean physical intimacy, underscores the importance of finding intimacy and connection in the ordinary moments of life.
This lesson extends beyond the relationship between God and the Jewish people to our personal relationships as well. Just as the Mishkan emphasizes the importance of infusing daily life with meaning, we should look to infuse our everyday interactions with love and connection, rather than waiting for special moments to express care and intimacy. We should look for connection in the mundane, in the daily exchanges. A truer expression of love is when it permeates all the details of everyday life.
