The Midrash and Biblical commentaries, specially the Chassidic and Kabbalist interpretations elaborate on describing the Mishkan (Tabernacle built in the desert) and subsequently the First and Second Temples as a model of man, of the physical universe and of creation as a whole. All the furnishings and vessels are seen as different representations of the organs and faculties of man. The Ark (containing the Luchots-tablets-) correspond to the mind (the intellect and its three faculties Chochma (wisdom), Bina (understanding) and Daat(knowledge)). The Menorah (Candelabrum) to the eyes and the sense of sight and the seven emotional faculties. The Shulchan (Table that held the “Showbread”, to the sense of taste. The Inner Altar (where the incense was burned represents the sence of smell and the Outer Altar (where the animal and meal offerings were brought) represent the digestive system and other functional organs.
The Holy Temples were the meeting place between the spiritual and the material. G-d doesn’t want us to abstain from the material world, on the contrary, the material is here so we can elevate it and use it in a holy way. Every human achievement is a means to make one receptive to G-d’s revelation making our bodies pure to serve Him making ourselves a dwelling place for His presence. By eating kosher, blessing our food, taking our bodies to live in a righteous way, learning Torah and filling our days with love and kindness we are surely fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.
Live a little higher
