Jewish tradition offers some breathtaking glimpses beyond the veil, and one of the most stunning involves God Himself, building a Temple…in Heaven.
Imagine Moses, nearing the end of his earthly life. Instead of just fading away, God takes him on a field trip – a celestial tour of the highest heavens! There, according to Tree of Souls, Moses gets to see not only his reward, but also the future destiny of the Jewish people. And what does he see? God, personally constructing the heavenly Temple.
This isn't just any building project. We're talking precious stones, pearls, and the very splendor of the Shekhinah (שכינה), the divine presence of God. And it's not just the Temple; Moses also sees Messiah, son of David, standing there, alongside his own brother, Aaron.
But there’s a catch. Aaron warns Moses to keep his distance. Why? Because this heavenly realm is so intensely holy that entering it prematurely – before giving up one's soul – would mean instant consumption by the flame of the Shekhinah. Talk about a buzzkill!
Understandably, Moses is a little freaked out. He pleads with God to let him speak with Messiah before he dies. God, in His infinite compassion, agrees. But first, an angel must teach Moses God’s "great Name," a kind of divine shield that will protect him from the intense spiritual energy.
Armed with this divine protection, Moses finally gets to ask the big question: "Will God build a sanctuary on earth like the one He is building here in heaven?"
The Messiah’s answer is profound. He explains that this heavenly Temple, built by God's own hands, will exist for Israel for all time. It’s not just a future hope; it’s an eternal reality. Remember Jacob's dream of the ladder reaching to heaven? As we read in Genesis (28:17), Jacob awoke and exclaimed: "This is none other than the abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!" According to the Messiah, Jacob saw both the earthly and heavenly Temples and understood the enduring nature of the latter. And, Messiah reveals, when the time is right, God will bring this heavenly Jerusalem down to earth.
Moses, understandably, is thrilled. He wants to know when this incredible event will happen. But God, ever the mystery, keeps the exact timing a secret. "I have not disclosed this to any living being," He says, "neither to the first ones or the last." But because Moses is, well, Moses, God gives him a hint: the Israelites will be scattered to the four corners of the earth, but one day, they will return to the Land of Israel.
And what does Moses do with this glimpse into the divine plan? According to this passage, he descends from heaven, content. He then gives his soul to God, peacefully and with a longing heart. What a way to go!
What does this all mean? The Zohar tells us that everything on Earth has a parallel in the heavens. This story suggests that our earthly struggles, our hopes for redemption, are all mirrored and nurtured in the celestial realm. The heavenly Temple isn't just a beautiful image; it's a promise. A promise that even in times of exile and suffering, there is a perfect, eternal sanctuary waiting for us, built by God Himself. It’s a reminder that our connection to the divine is always present, even when we can’t see it. And perhaps, just perhaps, it's a glimpse of what awaits us when we finally "taste the taste of death."