In the book of Bamidbar – Numbers, in English – we find a fascinating passage that deals precisely with this: the idea of sacred space, separation, and the surprising presence of the Divine even amidst impurity.

The text begins with the seemingly simple instruction: "Outside of the camp shall you send them." (Numbers 5:2). But hold on, what’s the intent here? The Sifrei Bamidbar, a collection of legal interpretations on the Book of Numbers, asks a crucial question. Could it be that the point is simply to keep certain individuals – those deemed ritually impure – away from the holiest objects, like the Ark of the Covenant? Maybe they could still have a designated area within the camp?

That’s where the next part of the verse comes in, clarifying: "…and they shall not make unclean their camps." This repetition of the word "camp" – not once, not twice, but three times! – hints at something deeper. The Rabbis of old, always astute readers, noticed this and from it, they deduced a crucial concept: There weren't just one, but three concentric "camps" of holiness (Sifrei Bamidbar 3).

Imagine Jerusalem in ancient times. The outermost circle, from the city's entrance to the Temple Mount, was considered the "Israelite camp." Moving inward, from the entrance of the Temple Mount to the azarah, the Temple courtyard, was the "Levite camp." And finally, the innermost sanctum, from the entrance of the azarah inwards – that was considered the camp of the undefined, the Divine Presence.

Think of it like nesting dolls, each one holding something more precious within. Each camp represented a different level of holiness and required a different degree of ritual purity.

But here’s the truly mind-blowing part. The text continues, highlighting the profound connection between G-d and the people of Israel. It declares, "in whose midst I dwell" (Numbers 5:3). Even when the Israelites are tamei – ritually impure – the undefined, that Divine Presence, remains among them. As it says in Leviticus 16:16, G-d "dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanliness." And again, in Numbers 35:34, "And you shall not defile the land which you inhabit, in which I dwell, for I, the L-rd, dwell in the midst of the children of Israel (even when they are unclean)."

The Sifrei Bamidbar beautifully summarizes this sentiment: "Beloved are Israel, who, even when they are tamei, the undefined is among them." What an incredible statement!

What does this mean for us? It challenges the way we think about purity and impurity, about distance and closeness to G-d. It suggests that even in our moments of imperfection, when we feel farthest from the Divine, G-d is still present.

This idea, that G-d dwells even in the midst of our "uncleanliness," is a radical and comforting one. It suggests that holiness isn't about achieving some unattainable state of perfection, but about recognizing the Divine spark that exists within us, even when we stumble. It reminds us that even when we are relegated to the "outside of the camp," we are never truly alone. The undefined is always with us.