The Carver, The Weaver and The Embroiderer- Parshat Pekudei

This week’s reading recounts the building of the Sanctuary-
 
“Eleh p’kudei HaMishkan…
            “These are the remembrances of the Sanctuary…” (Ex. 38:21)
 
Remember- right now- make yourself into a sanctuary!
 
How do you do that? It goes on to say:
 
“Mishkan HaEidut…
            “The Sanctuary of Witnessing…”
 
The moment you become the witness to what’s happening, seeing without judgment or resistance, your inner space becomes a Sanctuary of Presence.
 
The parsha then goes on to describe the builders and artisans, including one named Oholiav, who is described as a “carver, weaver and embroiderer.”
 
A Carver:
 
To become a Mishkan HaEidut, a Sanctuary of Witnessing, first let your inner space be “carved” by the content of this moment. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? Don’t resist, let your inner space take the form of this moment.
 
A Weaver:
 
Then, let the fullness of everything in this moment be “woven” into a whole within the space of your awareness. Don’t tear the moment apart with judgments and resistance- it’s already one whole tapestry, when you allow it to be.
 
An Embroiderer:
 
Let your own thoughts/words/actions “embroider” the sacred. Give your thoughts a form with a Divine Name or sacred phrase, letting it vibrate repeatedly in your mind.
 
Try this phrase, which means, “The Glory of the Divine Presence Fills”-
 
Kavod Hashem Malei! Kavod Hashem Malei!  
 
This phrase is from the following verse which describes how the Sanctuary was so full of Presence, Moses could not enter-
 
“Moses could not enter the Sanctuary… for the Glory of the Divine Presence filled the Sanctuary.” (Ex. 40:35)
 
When your presence completely fills this moment, there's no more room for the separate “me”- there’s just the Presence, not separate from anything…
 
On this Shabbat Pekudei, the Sabbath of Remembrance, may we remember this most fundamental sacred task, clearing the way for joy and celebration in this new month of Adar II, the month of Purim...
 
Hodesh Tov!
Good Month to you!
Mishei Nikhnas Adar Marbim Simkha!
When the month of Adar enters, joy increases!