Home improvement

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March 5, 2004/Adar 12 5764, Vol. 56, No. 24

Home improvement, Jewish style

OZZIE NOGG

According to the Book of Exodus, even God had very specific ideas about how his house should look.

"Make for me a mikdash (sanctuary) and I will dwell in their midst," God said.

Then, from Mount Sinai, God handed down detailed blueprints to Moses who, in turn, gave the building permit to the construction firm of Bezalel & Oholiab, Inc., and their crew of wise and skillful workmen. When the sanctuary was finished and the decorating complete, the structure featured an ark of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, tapestries of blue, purple and crimson twisted linen, finely embroidered curtains, ram-skin coverlets, bronze chests, copper basins as well as solid gold tables, jugs, ladles, bowls and lamps. Impressive, to be sure. This conveniently portable mikdash (which eventually evolved into the Temple in Jerusalem) accompanied the Israelites throughout their wanderings, and it was to this sacred place that the people came to celebrate festivals and holidays, to give thanks to God and to be in his presence.

Tradition tells us that when Jerusalem was destroyed, the shechinah (God's presence) was exiled from the mikdash and took up residence not in the synagogue but in the Jewish home, thereby making even the most humble dwelling a mikdash me'at, a little sanctuary. A place where every Jew could celebrate and observe Jewish tradition, give thanks to God and be in his presence. But short of going into hock to duplicate the exotic furnishings and golden accessories of the original sanctuary, what sorts of improvements must we make in order to turn a house into a mikdash me'at?

We can (obviously and easily) decorate our homes with all manner of Jewish ritual objects - mezuzahs, ketubot, Shabbat candlesticks and kiddush cups, menorahs, seder plates, Jewish books, collections of dreidels, spice boxes and shofars. Impressive, to be sure. But no amount of conspicuous Judaiconsumption will win you "The Best Mikdash Me'At In Town Award". You'll score no points for new carpeting, reupholstered sofas or the latest in bathroom fixtures, either. Nope. In a mikdash me'at, what you have is not as important as how you behave. Simply put, if we want our homes to be little sanctuaries, we must create spaces where human needs are expressed and met.

But how to begin, and where? Had the all-seeing, all-knowing building inspector provided a manual titled, "How To Construct A Mikdash Me'At," it might include the following instructions:

To qualify as a mikdash me'at, a home must be a place of safety, comfort and refuge, where the hungry find food, the weary find rest and the stranger finds warmth and welcome. In order to be a true mikdash me'at, a home must be a place where many voices are allowed to sing - in harmony or in disagreement.
When erecting a mikdash me'at, place it on a solid foundation of compassion, generosity, humility and positive values. Trust, and the ability to forgive, are also critical building blocks.
To make a home a mikdash me'at you must take nothing for granted. When you rise up, give thanks for the new day and the opportunities it brings. When you lie down, give thanks for the day that is past and the lessons it taught you.
A mikdash me'at is built on respect - for spouses, partners, parents and children. In a little sanctuary there must also be respect for the people who work in the home. Pay them fairly. Treat them kindly.
Remember. Hospitality is as important as divine worship. In a mikdash me'at, food is happily shared with others. At the table, speak words of wisdom and support. Do not gossip. Even if you are alone, be not distracted by television during meals.
To qualify as a mikdash me'at, a home must be a place where each family member is appreciated, considered special, and encouraged to grow and learn in different ways. Listen to others with an open heart.
To be approved as a certified mikdash me'at, a home must be insulated against rough weather with a protective layer of peace - shalom bayit - if not every day, then surely on Shabbat. On this one day, at least, you must shut out the stress and cares of the world. Replace tension and argument with words of sweetness and love.
When building a mikdash me'at, begin now, and proceed with joy.

So there you have the nuts and bolts of home improvement, Jewish style. No hassling with temperamental interior designers. No waiting for plumbers who don't show up. Turning your home into a mikdash me'at is the perfect do-it-yourself project. Yes, the changes will take longer than a weekend. Adding on to our Jewish observance doesn't happen overnight. Just relax, go at your own speed, and consider your efforts a work in progress. Sacred work, at that.

Ozzie Nogg is a free-lance writer from Omaha, Neb.

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