Many parshiyot ago we read about how the purpose of the mishkan was to build a physical place so that G-d could dwell "amongst" (or, even better, "in") the Children of Israel. I always thought it was a beautiful - albeit metaphorical - idea. It wasn't until the very end of Pekudei - and, in fact, the end of the book of Shemot as well - that I really and, perhaps, fully understood the gravity and literalness of this statement.
Specifically, Shemot 40:34, the first verse in the maftir aliyah, states: "The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Glory of H' filled the Tabernacle. Not able was Moses to enter into the Tent of Meeting for rest upon it did the cloud and the glory of H' filled the Tabernacle."
Wow! What a literal and spiritual sight and experience it must have been for the presence of H' to be so packed into the ohel that no one, not even Moshe, could physically enter! I heard a heartening analogy regarding the sacrifices many months ago -- that G-d likes meat (burnt offerings), carbohydrates (all different versions of flour mixed with fine oil), and drink (wine), but apparently not vegetables or fruit (or, I suppose, dairy). In these closing verses of Shemot, we learn that when G-d moves in, G-d also doesn't like roommates and, to use a modern phrase, "needs G-d's space."
I am still flabbergasted and awestruck at the beautify of this notion - of course, G-d dwells everywhere and is present in all locations. But, apparently, there was a place -- 45 feet by 15 feet (30 amot/cubits by 10 amot/cubits) that was so utterly holy that when G-d came down to live there, no one else could enter. Did G-d somehow take a physical form that prevented anyone else from coming in because there was no space? No - all we know is that it was G-d's Glory (kavod) that filled the place.
What does it mean for an amorphous, non-physical noun like glory (or honor), to fill a space?
I have no idea. Well, at least not much more than my own, subjective inkling.
I assume that such Glory did not manifest as a physical substance, but if it didn't -- what then? We don't read about fiery, turning swords preventing entrance to the ohel (like we did for Gan Eden) - so what prevented anyone from entering? All I can picture is some sort of magnetic forcefield that would repel people away - come any closer to the outer screen of the ohel and one would be repelled away. No amount of human strength - or human holiness - could overcome this barrier. In a step further then we took at Har Sinai - where the people were repeatedly instructed not to approach the mountain "lest they die" (apparently being still given the free will to do so if they really wanted) - here the language is much stronger: No one, including Moshe, could enter the ohel.
The only solution I can think of now -- perhaps some more insight will come through meditation Nand prayer -- is that the ohel was totally saturated with G-d's utter Essence - pure, non-physical, beyond reality Being -- packed into a space so tiny that its potent energy could spread blessing and protection to Yisrael but could not be encountered directly.
It is an experience which I yearn to share - to simply come close, but never enter, this holiest of spaces.
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