G-d’s Chosen Home

When Maimonides discusses the biblical commandment to build a Sanctuary for G-d, he quotes the verse “Build for me a Holy Temple.” Accordingly, he should have called the section of his code that deals with the Temple “Laws of the Holy Temple.” Why does he instead call them “Laws of the Chosen House”?

The term “Holy Temple”—or “Holy House”—does not identify a connection with any other houses; it indicates only that there is one sanctified place. The term “Chosen House,” however, indicates a connection with all the other houses from which it was chosen—for there is no need to “choose” something that is entirely separate from all others, or if no others exist.

By titling his work “Laws of the Chosen House,” Maimonides teaches that every Jew has the ability, and the responsibility, to make his own house a reflection of the Holy Temple—one that G-d will “choose” as His home, as well.