Sacred Space

A Lesson for 3-6, on March 2, 2003

 

Goal: 

 

The students will become more familiar with the idea of sacred space and realize the importance of dedicating space for specific uses such as prayer and communal gatherings.

 

Objectives:  

 

The students will learn the definition of the word Mishkan. (dwelling-place, tabernacle)

1 a often capitalized: a tent sanctuary used by the Israelites during the Exodus b archaic :a dwelling place c archaic : a temporary shelter :

The students will discover what is personally meaningful to them in terms of their prayer space.

The students will create their own personal portable prayer space.

The students will learn what sacred space means to them.

 

           

 

Procedure:

 

READ ALOUD:

 

Moses said to the whole community of Israelites: This is what Adonai has commanded: Take from among you gifts to Adonai, everyone whose heart so moves him [or her] shall bring them—gifts for Adonai: gold, silver, and copper; blue, purple, and crimson yarns, fine linen, and goats’ hair; tanned ram skins, dolphin skins, and acacia wood; oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the aromatic incense; lapis lazuli and other stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let all among you who are skilled come and make all that Adonai has commanded: the Tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its clasps and its planks, its bars, its posts, and its sockets. (Exodus 35:4–11)

 

ASK:

 

What is happening in this story?

What are the people of Israel building?

What is the Tabernacle?                         Portable worship space

What kinds of things are they bringing?

Who is contributing (bringing stuff)?  Everyone, men and women, anyone whose heart so              moves them

Why might the Israelites need a portable space in which to worship?  What’s wrong with nature?

What are the good things about having a space in which to come to pray?

 

 

ACTIVITY:

 

EXPLAIN:

 

In groups of two or three, you are going to design your ultimate personal Mishkan.  You will be presenting this portable worship space to the rest of the class as if you were a tour guide.

 

Instructions:

 

On a sheet of paper, make a list of places you visit in your day:  e.g. bedroom, classrooms, Hebrew school, playground, etc.

List the activities that occur in these places.

 

What kind of feelings, emotions and thoughts do you think the Mishkan should help you feel?

 

Using words and pictures, design your portable prayer space that will help you feel, closer to God, your community, your friends and your Judaism.

 

Conclusion:

 

Each group will present their ultimate personal portable worship space as if they were a tour guide taking the entire class on an imaginary tour of their mishkan.