The Sacrifices
This most fundamental goal is also found within the Mishkan itself. Among the various aspects of the Tabernacle, this idea was expressed most strongly through the korbonos. The difference between the Mishkan itself, versus the specific service of the animal sacrifices, is the following:
Concerning the building of the Mishkan, the intent was not as much to elevate the physicality, and make it holy, but to provide a place for the Supernal to descend, and reside. The primary goal was thus not to have the physical objects transform into holiness (as seen, that the revelation of the Shechina in the Mishkan was infinitely higher than the physical materials it was built from).
However, the idea of the sacrifices expressed the objective of refining the animal and transforming it into a korbon for G-d. Therefore, even though the sacrifices served as a prelude for the Shechina that resided there, still it was specifically in sacrifices that we reach the greatest intent of the Mishkan—to transform the physical so that it should be a receptacle for G-dliness.
Now we can understand why Parshas Vayikra is, in truth, a continuation also to the story of the cloud leaving the Mishkan at the time of their travels. For, in both of these ideas, the same point is expressed—that of the essential purpose of the Mishkan being primarily expressed at the time when the Shechina is not tangibly present. The more mundane the service, the greater revelation that the Jewish people can bring about.
The root
During the Jewish people’s travels, the revelation of the Shechina was lacking. Being as there was no Mishkan for the Shechina to reside in, it was specifically then that the root of the Jewish people was revealed in the way that they are one with the Almighty Himself (as explained above), above limitation. This is thus the deeper explanation of “when the cloud rose up from over the Mishkan, the children of Israel set out in all their journeys.” Externally, it seems that there was a departure of the Shechina. In a deeper sense though, it is specifically through this that they reached an even higher level, which they would then reveal during their next encampment.
The lesson
This is the lesson to each and every one of us: Although the exile is tremendously dark, and each individual is keenly aware of their personal exile, he needs to know that there is a specific intent of his service in these concealed times. Just as the Shechina departing from the Mishkan was for the purpose of revealing a greater level of G-dliness, so too our personal exiles are to reveal greater levels of G-dliness.
One needs to feel that his “travels” as well, are connected to the G-dly cloud, and specifically, when G-d’s glory “departs” and is hidden, he has the ability to accomplish the greatest goal. As the Torah teaches, all of man’s steps are orchestrated by G-d Himself:
From the Lord a mighty man's steps are established, for He delights in his way.
Tehillim 37:23
Everywhere that he goes, in all situations, he has a mission from the Almighty to create a dwelling place for G-d. It is then that he reaches a point higher than the cloud that rested on the Mishkan, and reveals G-d Himself. This, in turn, is revealed in the next stop of the Jewish people!
(Based on Likutei Sichos 16, Pekudei 3, reworked by Rabbi Dovid Markel. To see other projects and to partner in our work, see: www.Neirot.com.)
