In this week’s Parsha Moshe and Betzalel built the Mishkan and the Shechina -the Divine presence resided in the Mishkan.
The Ramban in his introduction to his commentary on the Chumash writes that the book of Bereishis is the book of creation, the creation of the world, mankind and the creation of the Jewish nation. The book of Shemos is the book of exile and redemption. The redemption didn’t finish with leaving Mitzrayim. The redemption still needed Matan Torah - the Jews receiving the Torah and then the peak at the end of this week’s Parsha when Hashem rested His Divine Presence in the Mishkan and amongst Klal Yisrael.
We must understand that the ultimate redemption was when the Jews arrived in Eretz Yisrael. Even so, the book of Shemos is still called the book of redemption before the Jews arrived in Eretz Yisrael. What was so unique about the Mishkan that as soon as it was built, the book of redemption became complete?
The answer is that the Mishkan and the Beis Hamikdash was the place that Hashem connected with His creations.
It is true that Hashem is everywhere, but in this world Hashem chose the Mishkan to be His Palace for the Shechina. It is from this place that Hashem shined his Divine presence to the whole world.
Shlomo Hamelech prayed and asked that Hashem should listen to the prayers of Klal Yisrael that daven from this place. The Beis Hamikdash is called a ‘House of Prayer’.
The Gemarah (Taanis 20.) tells us an amazing story.
Once the Jews came to Jerusalem for Yom Tov and there was no water to drink. Nakdimon ben Gurion, who was one of the wealthy people, went to someone and asked to him to borrow twelve pits of water, (in those days when it rained people stored their water in pits) for the Jews that came to Yerushalaim and promised to return them by a certain date. If he wouldn’t have water to return (if it hadn’t rained) then he undertook to pay 12 loaves of silver (a very high price, far more than its value).
The day arrived but it hadn’t rained. The man sent a messenger in the morning asking for the water or the money. Nakdimon sent back a message that it was still early. At midday another messenger arrived. Nakdimon sent him back saying that it was still early. Late afternoon a messenger came again and Nakdimon sent him back saying that he still had time.
The man was amused at Nakdimon still waiting for rain and he went to the bathhouse to refresh himself to celebrate his good business deal. Nakdimon went to the Beis Hamikdash, started praying and said, “Hashem it is clear and known to You that I didn’t do this for my honor or for the honor of my family, only for Your honor, that the Jews should have water to drink.”
Immediately, the sky darkened with clouds and there was heavy rain, which filled up all the pits all the way and more. As Nakdimon left the Beis Hamikdash he knocked into the man he had borrowed the water. Nakdimon said to him, ‘please pay me for the extra water I returned you.”
“The man replied, “I know that Hashem made you this miracle, but you still need to pay me because it rained after sunset.”
Nakdimon went back to the Beis Hamikdash and prayed, “Hashem, please show that you have beloved people in your world.” Immediately, the clouds scattered and the sun came back out.
That was the power of praying in the Beis Hamikdash, may it be rebuilt speedily in our days. When Klal Yisrael reached this stage they were truly redeemed from slavery and true servants of Hashem, even before arriving in Eretz Yisrael.
Even today whilst we are in exile, let us remember that every Shul and Beis Hamedrash is a mini Beis Hamikdash. Let us utilize this special privilege of praying in Shul and understand that in Shul, even in exile, through our prayers we still have that special gift of connecting to Hashem. May Hashem listen to all our prayers and answer them!
