To the Bronx?

He was extremely wealthy, known the world over for his spectacular wealth and philanthropic endeavors. With mansions and dream homes in literally every country, he now had to make a momentous choice: he had to decide which place to call home.

Should it be a beautiful penthouse atop a skyscraper in midtown Manhattan, or maybe a billion-dollar project in Vegas? Would it be an 80-acre plot in the Hamptons, or perhaps a private island off the Italian Peninsula?

"My new home will be in the slums of the Bronx"After much deliberation, he made up his mind. He called a press conference to inform the world of his definitely-destined-for-the-front-page decision.

He unfolded his paper and began to read:

"Dear friends, after much thought and contemplation, I am proud to announce the location of my new home. My new home will be in the slums of the Bronx, in the basement of a 200-year-old dilapidated building.

"I just hope that my new neighbors will kindly accept me into their neighborhood. Thank you all for coming."

To be honest, we're used to celebrities doing or saying crazy things. But this?

It just so happens that this is precisely the story of G‑d and this world.

In the higher spiritual realms, there are an infinite number of worlds, planes of existence where G‑dliness is so much more real and dominant than in the physical, and often cruel and immoral universe we inhabit.

What a contrast: Angels proclaim G‑d's greatness; we shout the praises of the latest technological gadget. Supernal beings nullify themselves before the divine; human beings arrogantly cling to the belief that the world is a self-sustaining edifice with no relationship to an infinite Creator.

Yet despite all this, G‑d chose our world as His home. And all He asks is for us to find space in our hearts, in our lives, and in the decisions we make, to allow Him to enter.

We find this idea alluded to in Exodus 25:8, where the commandment to build a Sanctuary for G‑d is described:

"And they shall build for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in them."

The wording seems rather strange, referring to the sanctuary (Temple) in the singular form, but the dwelling in the plural: "them."

Can we begin to fathom the irony? But that's the way G‑d wants itOur sages teach that although there can be only one physical Holy Temple, in Jerusalem, there lies a temple within the heart of every one of us. In this sanctuary, we offer to G‑d real, personal sacrifices (our lusts and temptations), light the menorah (illuminate and inspire the world around us), and house the Holy Ark with its Tablets (study and teach the divine wisdom of the Torah).

Think about it. The Creator of all worlds beseeches me and you, finite little creatures of flesh and blood, to build Him a home. Can we begin to fathom the irony of it? But that's the way G‑d wants it.

How fortunate we are!

Now let's get to work, sprucing up this home.

And you never know; the Bronx may yet one day return to its forgotten days of glory…