Divine sanctuary means healthy self-esteem

Our capacity to carry the presence of G-d within us should be the foundation of self-esteem. This liberating idea is the cornerstone of self-worth and confidence.

In this week’s Torah reading, Terumah, G-d commands the Jewish people to build a sanctuary in which G-d’s presence will reside. The Ramban (1194-1270) explains that redemption from Egypt wasn’t complete with the physical departure from the land of Israel’s enslavement, nor with the giving of the ten commandments, even though the revelation at Sinai was the goal of Exodus.

Exodus hadn’t achieved its purpose until the heights that the nation had achieved temporarily at Sinai were made a permanent part of existence by means of the sanctuary.

When the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, G-d’s presence remained within the Jewish people through miniature sanctuaries (Ezekial 11:16) in the form of synagogues and study halls (Megilla 29a). It’s through them that the attachment to G-d and the teachings of Sinai are perpetuated within the Jewish people.

The Malbim (1809-1879) writes that in Hashem’s command to Moshe (Shemos 25:8), “They shall make a sanctuary for me – so that I may dwell among them”, the verse doesn’t say, “so that I may dwell in it”, but rather “in them”, an allusion that every person must build a sanctuary within themselves. Each one of us must provide in our hearts a residence for G-d’s presence.

The Torah is empowering every individual to raise themselves to be a vehicle for the divine presence. There can be no greater compliment to a human being.

By living a life in which we rise above self-indulgence in the material world and follow the commandments of the creator, we have the potential to elevate ourselves and carry the divine presence within us.

We’re all made up of body and soul. Often the body is so dominant and powerful that the soul is completely drowned out, without any voice. When we hold back the body and allow the soul to control our appetite for power and pleasure, we create a space for G-d’s presence.

This insight into the nature of a human being should be a powerful source of self-esteem for all of us. Furthermore, when we work to apply this principle in our lives, the automatic consequence is a feeling of purpose and accomplishment that leads to a natural self-confidence and self-esteem. The converse has the opposite effect. When we constantly give in to the powerful urges of the body, we push G-d away, and doubt our relevance and purpose.

May we all be successful in following the guidelines of the Torah, and creating a place for G-d in our lives, thereby accessing the best version of ourselves and living with a healthy sense of our greatness within.