"And the glory of God filled the Mishkan" Exodus 40:35

Pekudei is the final parashah in the Book of Exodus. It sharply contrasts the minutiae of construction with the infinite nature of the structure, individual passion with collective transcendence and the loftiness of God anchored in the midst of the people. The narrative presents us with the inspiring physical reality of sacred space - holy place. Rashi comments that the repetition of the word "Mishkan" (Exodus 38:21) points to the continuity from the Tabernacle in the desert to the Temple in Jerusalem and, if we follow his line of thinking, to the ultimate rebuilding of that Temple for which we pray three times a day in our synagogues.

But, what of these synagogues? Do they provide sacredness or holiness? Perhaps our own glory fills the space and God cannot enter. Our passion for the world we know crowds in without transformation. The friends, the chat, the clothes and the next arrangement dwell in our midst and blur our real purpose. There is thinking to be done within ourselves and with family, friends and especially with children, about what we might do to educate the soul and enable godliness to flourish in our houses of prayer.

Pekudei shows us it is crucial to master the specific minutiae, God's way, with effort and fire in the learning. In becoming spiritually sensitive, knowledgeable, observant Jewish men, women and children, we will transcend ourselves, not only in some gorgeous place of natural beauty, but in the very heart of the community – the most sacred place of all – with God's glory in our midst. It is in our hands.