There is a verse in this week’s Torah portion that resonates with our community and me.

This week’s Torah portion is really the instruction manual for the building of our sanctuary, and in the middle of all of these details is this spiritual line: And let them make me a Sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)

In case you do not know, that is God who is talking saying: “I will dwell among you.” Another way of saying this is “Holiness is in the details” or “the art of cleanliness is close to godliness.” Once everything is in order and beautiful, then we can begin to connect with the Divine.

You may ask the question, can God enter a physical structure? Do you feel God’s presence when you are in our sanctuary? What are the components that make you feel connected to the Divine in our Sacred Sanctuary.

Often congregants will remark to me that they feel holiness strongest, in the late afternoon as the sun shines through the stained glass windows, or they may remark on the holiness of being close to the Torah. All of the components of the physical structure of our sanctuary adds to opening our hearts to feeling close to God. Let me know (cantorael@kenesethisrael.org) what helps you envision God dwelling amongst us in our sanctuary.

When we prepare the space, God will dwell inside your heart. We also must be thankful to our custodial staff who help prepare our space and keep it clean. We also give gratitude to our security guards who help bring a feeling of peace before we enter the sanctuary. However, this space is not complete without all of you sitting together in the sanctuary; singing, socializing and praying together.

May we find more opportunities to find God dwelling within each of our hearts this Shabbat and all Shabbats to come.