The Jewish Space-Time Continuum

Rabbi Maury Grebenau

We are instructed to build a sanctuary for Hashem called the Mishkan

(Tabernacle). The Torah specifically commands us that work on this Mishkan must be
limited to the six day work week. Shabbos is a day on which we are to abstain from the
task of building this house for Hashem. Chazal (Shabbos 70a) explain that this
connection between Shabbos and the Mishkan is more than a simple instruction not to
build on Shabbos, it is also fundamental to the laws of Shabbos. The written Torah is
brief, to the point of exclusion, in its description of activities prohibited on Shabbos. Of
the 39 categories of prohibited work on Shabbos, only one or two appear in the written
Torah. Our tradition fills in the nature of the rest of the 39, but what is it based on?

This verse, which connects the Mishkan and Shabbos, reaveals that the work done
in the Mishkan is parallel to the work that is prohibited on Shabbos. The 39 categories of
work that are prohibited on Shabbos are rooted in the creation of the Mishkan. What is
the connection between the Mishkan and Shabbos that would cause them to be so closely
tied? There is another interesting comment made regarding Shabbos. The Talmud (Beitza
16a) explains that when Hashem wanted to give us Shabbos he described it to Moshe as a
gift from his treasure house. What aspect of Shabbos makes ‘gift’ an apt description?

The answer to both of these questions lies in a fundamental understanding of what

the Mishkan, and subsequently the Beis HaMikdash (Temple), were. Both the Temple
and the Mishkan were the prime example of holiness of space (Kedushash HaMakom).
They were set apart from the world and dedicated to the service of Hashem. They were
an area where a person could experience Hashem so intensely that the experience was
unparalleled in this world. The Mishna (Avos 5:5) lists ten daily miracles that could be
experienced in the Temple. The Temple was so divorced from the mundane that in its
confines the laws of physics were rendered obsolete. The Talmud (Yoma 21a, Bava
Basra 99a) tells us that although the entire width of the holy of holies was 20 Amos,
when one would measure the Ark that was situated there they would find 10 Amos on
either side. This quality of being completely above the physical world was the hallmark
of the Temple.

Shabbos is meant to be a very similar experience. Instead of holiness of space,

Shabbos is holiness of time (Kedushas HaZman). The experience of the Temple is easy to
visualize, one steps into the huge and awe inspiring edifice that housed the Menorah
(candelabra), the Ark and all the vessels used in the service of Hashem. The gold sparkles
from all around you and the ornate building has you speechless. The altar looms up in
front of you with men garbed in white rushing to complete the sacrifices. In all directions
one sees miraculous events as everyday occurrences. This scene has the potential to
recharge our spiritual batteries, to lift us out of the mire of spiritual apathy. We see
Hashem’s presence in this world clearly and when we leave the Temple we take with us a
spark of holiness that can buoy us through our everyday trials and tribulations.
 Shabbos is also a time to disengage from the physical world. We stop all of our
work and our striving to engage, and make our mark in, this world. We step into a world
where the normal rules that we follow the rest of the week are put aside. There is no rush.
We put our concerns about money and business aside, and we serenely enter the holiness
of space that we refer to as Shabbos. Here too we are meant to experience the divine. A
day set apart from the busy week and the constant contact with the physical world. We
delve into the spiritual, and commune, together with our families, with Hashem and our
spiritual side. The white table cloth and immaculately set table. The smells of a delicious
meal wafting from the kitchen. The complete relaxation and enjoyment that Shabbos can
bring. Here too we have a scene where we can experience Hashem and recharge our
spiritual batteries. Shabbos is truly a gift like no other.