Tetzaveh(Exodus 27:20-30:10)

Where Does God Dwell?

"God dwells where man lets him in."
--  Chasidic saying

The question is, where is that "in" which man can let God dwell?

Some answer that God dwells within each individual. Others say God dwells amongst the community. Is this just philosophizing? Or would these different conceptions of God - and how to find Him - actually make a difference in how people conduct their lives? Does the person who believes that God dwells within each individual differ in action than the one who believes God dwells amongst the people?

Whether the place God dwells is 'within' or 'amongst' us, one common aspect of both will be the need to make that 'place' the most fitting. Each belief will emphasize a striving to sanctify, make "holy," and perfect that place for God to dwell.

Therefore, the one who truly believes God dwells within man, will have as his principal drive his own perfection and sanctification. For this person, his goal in life is to be the most spiritual being possible, so that God will dwell within him. His responsibility is essentially only to himself; what he does for others is only because this is what he feels a spiritual person is required to do.

By contrast, the one who believes that God dwells amongst the people will define his goal as making humanity the most fitting for such a relationship.

Both outlooks have similar goals: "to perfect the place in which God dwells." The difference, however, is that one drive is focused inwards, and the other drive is focused outwards - on others.

"There is one door in front of us all.
Each person has his own lock,
and unless we all turn our own key,
the door will never open."

The thought of having to change an entire society in order to "let God in" is a daunting task! Only having to change oneself is easy by comparison.

This week's parsha explains the Jewish view of this dilemma. "And I will dwell in the midst of the Jewish People." (Exodus 29:45). Similarly, the Torah also says, "[The Jewish People] should make for Me a Sanctuary, and then I will dwell in their midst" (Exodus 25:8).

There is the potential for God to dwell amongst us, but that is only if we first build for Him a public sanctuary. For God to dwell amongst us we need to build a place fit for God to dwell on behalf of the entire nation. This is the source for why Judaism places such great value upon an extensive communal responsibility.

If God dwells "amongst" us, any individual who achieves this close relationship with God necessarily brings the rest of the community along with him!

Unfortunately, many Jews today follow the philosophy of "God within." This is antithetical to the Jewish ideal - which has been adopted by the Western world as well. America in particular was founded on the idea of communal responsibility. To be a good person, you have a duty to promote the well-being of all. The philosophy of "God within me" allows (and even promotes) the striving for a meaningful existence without others.

No human being can truly find meaningful existence in the vacuum of a society lacking such meaning. In other words, if you want to make your life more meaningful, then the way to do it is to improve the quality of the life of the people around you.

On Rosh Hashana, all our prayers are in the plural. That, explains Maimonides, is because if God isn't recognized throughout all the world, then there's something inherently lacking in our own appreciation. In fact, Maimonides says that one of the ways to deepen your love of God is to bring others closer to Him. When others are settled, we are too.

Today, there is a very predominant philosophy of "I'm OK, you're OK." Or, "I won't bother you, if you don't bother me." Such a philosophy is only good if you don't mind being brought down with all the people around you. If society is depressed, you will find it very difficult to be uplifted. As the saying goes: "If you're not your brother's keeper, then your brother will become your oppressor!"

BRAINSTORMING QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Question 1: Name three things you could do consistently every week that would make your life more meaningful.

Question 2: If you can't think of three things, who could you ask for some ideas?

Question 3: How could you integrate the idea of communal responsibility into your own life?