Inside Out? | Voices on Sefaria

Inside Out?

(א) ועשו ארון עצי שטים - לפי שהוא דבוק ארון של שטים לכן נקוד חטף פתח. ואף על פי שבמעשה בצלאל מצינו שעשה תחלה משכן ואח"כ כלים ארון ומנורה ושלחן שהיכן יכניס את הארון והשלחן, כל זמן שאין משכן עשוי אלא בצווי, הוצרך לפרש עשיית הארון והשלחן תחילה, שבשביל הארון שהוא עיקר של ועשו לי מקדש הוצרך לעשות משכן.

Rashbam on Exodus 25:10

(1) ועשו ארון עצי שטים, seeing that the words belong together, i.e. “an ark of acacia wood,” the vowel under the letter א in the word ארון is a chataph patach instead of a kametz. [This had to be so as the tone sign tipcha under the word ארון suggests that the word belongs to the word ועשו preceding it. Ed.] Even so, when it came to the carrying out of these instructions we find that Betzalel, contrary to Moses’ instructions, first constructed the Tabernacle itself before fashioning the furnishings thereof, seeing he would not have a place wherein to place all these furnishings. Nevertheless, at the time of the instructions, the Ark, Table, etc., had to be mentioned first. The reason was that the construction of the Tabernacle was, after all, secondary to the furnishings inside it. It became necessary to build the Tabernacle only in order to house the Ark and other sacred furnishings.

As we grow, we are trying to develop ourselves. We spend time on how we look, the styles we like, and how we wear our hair. Often we spend more time on what is outside us than what is inside.

This week’s Torah portion Trumah deals with building the sanctuary in the desert. Instructions are clear that the outside should be plain, orderly, neat, and clean but not showy. The inside is clearly the more important place where it is permissible to exhibit the most beautiful decorations and objects. Our bodies are our own sanctuary. Clearly, in Judaism how we develop our inside, the inner us, is most important.

Of course, it is important for people to feel good about how they look on the outside. Judaism is saying that you should look good on the outside but never forget to focus especially on your inner development.

Do we spend more time on how we look or developing our inner values and qualities?

which do we place first and why?

Do looks shape your personality, if so how?

What role can Shabbat play in supporting the inner self-care of Jewish people?

Is a synagogue building essential.to a Jewish Community? can one have kehillah without one? what functions does a building serve?

Frankie Gruzd