Living with the Parsha
Moving In

Bracha jumped up excitedly as soon as the school bell rang. Today was moving day—her family was moving into a brand new house.

As she raced down the street, breathless to catch a glimpse of her room with all of the new furnishings, Bracha thought about how pleasant it was going to be to not have to share a room with her two sisters. Bracha could not wait to see the new bed, curtain and beautiful rug that she had chosen for her new room.

"Hello, Mommy, Daddy, I'm home!" Bracha yelled out as soon as she entered the brand new house.

"Darling, I'll be right over," called her mother. "In the meantime, you can go on up and take a look at your new room. It looks beautiful."

"Darling, you have your bed, you rug, your curtains—oh, I know what is missing!"Bracha entered her new room, and nodded her head in satisfaction. "What a beautiful room this is!" Bracha said quietly as her eyes swept approvingly across the room. "Yet something is missing, it doesn't feel quite right."

"So, Bracha, how do you like your room?" Her mother asked as she entered the room and sat down on the chair.

"It looks beautiful," remarked Bracha, "but something just does not feel right. I can't place what exactly is missing though."

"Well, Darling, you have your bed, you rug, your curtains—oh, I know what is missing! It is your bookcase with your prayerbook, charity box and other Jewish books. Yes, that is definitely what is missing!"

"Mommy, I think you are right!" said Bracha excitedly. "And that is so interesting, because we are learning this week about the Holy Temple and our teacher described how beautiful it was. But the main part was that it was a holy place where G‑d could come down to dwell."

"That is so interesting," said Bracha's mother. "This week the Torah portion is talking about building a new, beautiful home for G‑d, and it is the same week that we are moving into our new home."

Bracha's mother jumped up, and pulled her phone out of her pocket and began to dial.

"Who are you calling, Mommy?" asked Bracha curiously.

"Sweetie, I am calling the movers right away," answered Bracha's mother. "I want to make sure that they bring your bookcase, with its Jewish books and charity box. I want your room to feel like a place which is a dwelling for G‑d."

"Thanks Mom," said Bracha. "That really is cool."