Tuesday starts the Jewish month of Nisan.  This is the month of spring, the month of freedom.  In 2 weeks we celebrate Pesach (Passover), the time we left Egypt and slavery.

However, that is not the only thing to celebrate during this month.  According to our tradition, Moshe (Moses) puts up the mishcan (tabernacle) on the first day of Nisan… which just happens to be… Today!

The mishcan is a special structure that allows for the infinite creator to be within its creation.  Unfortunately, the mishcan has been lost, and so it would seem is the opportunity for us to have that personal, up-close, hangout time with the divine presence.

Or is it?  As I was contemplating this, I got to thinking:  what would happen if I created the mischan myself in a meditation.  Would the source of everything visit?  Could it hurt to try?  I mentioned this to some friends of mine, and they got as excited as I was about giving it a try.

So I invite all of you, on the anniversary of the first time the mishcan gets built, to take a few minutes during your day and imagine the mischan being built right now, today.

Imagine the holy of holies made from blue, purple, and red wool, gold thread and fine linen, being supported by golden walls.  At its heart is the ark containing sacred objects and covered by 2 angels.  Just on the other side of the veil is an incense altar and a 7 branched candelabra and  a table for 12 loaves a bread.  Light the candles and imagine the smoke of the incense flowing straight up to the heavens.

Outside of this inner sanctum, is a courtyard surrounded by curtains.  Inside the curtains and next to this sanctum is a bronze altar.  A fire is burning on this altar, ready for offerings of thanks.

Can you picture something like this?  Can you open up and let the cloud of divinity come down onto that inner sanctum?  Can you feel its presense?  Can you let it guide you?

The time is now.

About the Author

Shmuel Shalom Cohen spent 10 years studying Torah in Jerusalem. Six years ago, he started Conscious Torah to help Jews connect to their tradition in ways they didn’t think possible. Shmuel also started, and is the executive directory of Jewish Events Willamette-valley, a non-profit whose mission is to build Jewish community, pride, and learning. In his free time, Shmuel likes walks in nature, playing music, writing poetry, and time with good friends.