For almost a year now, we've been wanderers-wandering from Christ Episcopal Church to San Antonio College to the temporary offices. Since November, however, one thing has consistently united us-the Sanctuary. As we move from space to space-adding our spirit and energy, we root ourselves in this majestic space.
Our building project is a massive one. Tearing down walls, reworking electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, redesigning space, all an effort to perpetuate and invigorate our congregation.
Many, if not most of you-have donated your resources to this incredible project. All of you have been wonderfully patient as the dust is tracked through the sanctuary, as we tinker with the new heating system, and experiment with the sound system.
I have been incredibly moved and proud to be a part of this congregation during this time, and I continue to kvell to friends and colleagues how well I believe we've handled this radical change. The end, while it is in sight, remains in the future.
So, you may ask, why talk about making space beautiful now-when we are seemingly in the middle of this project? Being holy is being comfortable in the space and honoring god in the place that way Surrounded by space that is holy enhances our prayer-sounds more jewish in temple
To remind you the work that we are doing is not just important-it is holy. It is a most sacred task, a sacred obligation to take a ritual object, a special space and make it beautiful. This principle, known as hiddur mitzvah-the adornment of the mitzvah.
Let me clarify: hiddur mitzvah is the visual glorification of God. It's roots are found in Exodus 15:2, which exclaims: “ This is my God and I will glorify God” Our ancient rabbis queried about what this meant. Their answer was to do it through visual beauty. Over time, this developed into the adornment of our sacred objects.
For example-the kiddush cup. We have a beautiful silver goblet. In order to fulfill the commandment of drinking the wine, we need only to pronounce the appropriate blessing and drink the wine. However, to show additional honor to God, we have created this beautiful kiddush cup, ostensibly saying: We don't want to just drink the wine, we want the entire act of drinking the wine to be surrounded by beauty.
This extends to all of our ritual objects-our candlesticks, our Torah covers, and especially, to our structure. When the first Temple was built, the Jews created an edifice that remains unsurpassed. When we create our Temples and synagogues, we want to express our commitment to God, our unending connection to God's covenant and with not only our actions in prayer, in study and in service, but with our physical statements as well.
This is why, in 1927 when the building was first built, it was planned to be so incredible, such a powerful presence. In subsequent projects, the beauty of the building was added to-with the chapel, the garden, the auditorium-all the elevate and enhance the purpose and productivity of Temple Beth El.
Today's project is no different. With such an ambitious undertaking, we have declared our commitment, not only to the continuation of this institution, but to our covenant with God.
As we physically enhance our building, it is an opportunity for us to spiritually re-engage as well. For the Israelites, the Tabernacle's splendor marked God's physical presence among them. All along their journey, the could turn to look at the Tabernacle and understand that God was with them. In fact, in Exodus 40:34, it says that the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle-God was in that place with the Israelites! The Israelites, in their fragile state, needed that physical, tangible reassurance of the presence of God.
Do we need such reassurance What purpose does the beautification of our Temple do for us today? In Ex. 35:5, the Israelites are commanded to bring gifts to assist in the building of the Tabernacle. The Israelites, according to their generosity, brought an abundance of gifts to help in building the Tabernacle. These gifts, brought willingly, served to connect them tangibly to the tabernacle and therefore to God.
The same is true of us, when give willingly, we affirm our connection with God. Indeed we become partners with God, linking ourselves to God's creative power and using that energy to build sacred space.
Yes, it's hard to wait. But as we wait, and watch as the building takes shape, remember-this space is not just beautiful-it's filled with God's spirit.
E-mail Rabbi Bergman Vann
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