The ancient rabbis grappled with this, and in Shemot Rabbah (that's the Book of Exodus explained and expanded upon by the Rabbis) we find a fascinating exploration of this very idea.
The passage begins with a verse from I (Chronicles 29:11): “Yours, Lord, is the greatness, and the might…for everything that is in the heavens and on the earth.” Rabbi Berekhya uses this verse as a springboard to explore the parallels between the celestial and the terrestrial.
It's a mirror, of sorts. Everything that the Holy One, blessed be He, created above, He also created below. Let's look at some examples...
Above, there's an abode and a thick cloud. We see this reflected in verses like (Isaiah 63:15): “See from the abode of Your holiness,” and (Exodus 20:18): “Moses approached the thick cloud [where God was].” Even (ob 22:13) asks, "Can He judge through the thick cloud?" Below, we have the Temple, the Beit Hamikdash, which is described in I (Kings 8:12): “The Lord said that He would dwell in the thick cloud," and I (Kings 8:13): "I have built a house as an abode for You.”
The connections keep coming. Above, seraphim, fiery angels, stand before God ((Isaiah 6:2)). Below, we have "standing acacia wood" in the Tabernacle ((Exodus 26:15)). Above, cherubs surround the Divine Presence ((Isaiah 37:16)). Below, “the cherubs shall be” in the Temple ((Exodus 25:20)).
The parallels extend to the very structure of the universe. Above, the heavens are divided by a firmament ((Genesis 1:6)). Below, "the curtain shall divide for you [between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies]" ((Exodus 26:33)). Even the armies of heaven have their earthly counterparts. "The kings of hosts flee again and again" ((Psalms 68:13)) above, while below, "the hosts of the Lord departed" from Egypt ((Exodus 12:41)).
And it goes on! From the throne of God above (I (Chronicles 29:23)) to the Temple below, which is described as the "Throne of glory, exalted from the first" ((Jeremiah 17:12)). From countless stars above ((Genesis 15:5)) to the numerous Israelites below ((Deuteronomy 1:10)). Angels above (malakh meaning "messenger" in Hebrew - (Psalms 34:8), (alachi 2:7)) to priests below.
This isn't just a list of coincidences. The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary), in this case Shemot Rabbah, is trying to tell us something profound. It's suggesting that the earthly realm is a reflection, a microcosm, of the divine.
But here's the kicker: according to the Midrash, what's below is more beloved than what's above. Why? Because God chose to forsake the heavens and dwell among us.
The passage concludes with a powerful idea. Even though God possesses everything – “Mine is the silver, and Mine the gold, the utterance of the Lord of hosts” ((aggai 2:8)) – He desires to be among us, in the earthly sanctuary.
So, what does this all mean? Perhaps it means that the divine isn't some far-off, unattainable ideal. It's present here, within our world, within our communities, even within ourselves. The challenge, then, isn't to reach for the heavens, but to recognize the heaven that already exists right here on earth. The sacred can be found in the seemingly mundane, if only we know where—and how—to look.
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – Rabbi Berekhya began: “Yours, Lord, is the greatness, and the might…for everything that is in the heavens and on the earth” (I Chronicles 29:11). You find that everything the Holy One blessed be He created above, He created below. Above, an abode and thick cloud, as it is stated: “See from the abode of Your holiness” (Isaiah 63:15). Thick cloud, [as it is stated]: “Moses approached the thick cloud [where God was]” (Exodus 20:18), and it is written: “Can He judge through the thick cloud?” (Job 22:13). Below, “then Solomon said: The Lord said that He would dwell in the thick cloud” (I Kings 8:12), and it is written: “I have built a house as an abode for You” (I Kings 8:13). Above, “seraphim were standing above Him” (Isaiah 6:2); below, “standing acacia wood” (Exodus 26:15). Above, cherubs, as it is stated: “who abides upon the cherubs” (Isaiah 37:16); below, “the cherubs shall be” (Exodus 25:20). Above, “the wheels were borne parallel to them” (Ezekiel 1:20); below, “The workmanship of the wheels was like the workmanship of the chariot’s wheel” (I Kings 7:33), and likewise, “and behold, there was one wheel on the ground” (Ezekiel 1:15). Above, “the Lord is in His Holy Sanctuary” (Psalms 11:4); below, “the Sanctuary of the Lord” (I Samuel 1:9). Above, “The kings of hosts flee again and again” (Psalms 68:13); below, “the hosts of the Lord departed” (Exodus 12:41). Above, “let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, [and let it divide between water and water]” (Genesis 1:6); below, “the curtain shall divide for you [between the Sanctuary and the Holy of Holies]” (Exodus 26:33). Above, “the throne of the Lord” (I Chronicles 29:23); below, “Throne of glory, exalted from the first, is the place of our Temple” (Jeremiah 17:12). Above, “Is there a number to His companies” (Job 25:3); below, “two men, captains of his companies” (II Samuel 4:2). Above, “And count the stars” (Genesis 15:5); below, “and, behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance” (Deuteronomy 1:10). Above, “Behold the man garbed in linen” (Ezekiel 9:11); below, “He shall don a sacred linen tunic” (Leviticus 16:4). Above, “The angel [malakh] of the Lord encamps” (Psalms 34:8); below, “as he is a messenger [malakh] of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7). Above, “he took it from upon the altar with tongs” (Isaiah 6:6); below, “You shall make for Me an altar of earth” (Exodus 20:21). Above, “and stretches them like a tent for dwelling” (Isaiah 40:22); below, “how goodly are your tents, Jacob” (Numbers 24:5). Above, “He spreads out the heavens like a sheet” (Psalms 104:2); below, “ten sheets” (Exodus 26:1). Above, “light rests with Him” (Daniel 2:22); below, “pure olive oil pressed for illumination” (Exodus 27:20). Moreover, everything that is below is more beloved that what is above. Know that He forsook what was above and descended to what was below, as it is stated: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). That is, “for everything that is in the heavens and on the earth” (I Chronicles 29:11), and it says: “Mine is the silver, and Mine the gold, the utterance of the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).
