Teruma 

תרומה

How is it possible to construct a home for The Master of the Universe? The Sages explain that God asks of people to act to the best of their abilities, even if the task itself is impossible to complete. 

This mitzva of building the Tabernacle is one of three matters that Moses heard from the mouth of the Almighty that caused him to recoil. At the moment God said to him in instructing each Israelite to contribute a half-shekel: “Each man shall give a ransom for himself” (Exodus 30:12), Moses said: Who can give the ransom of his life?<footnote data-num="18"/> The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: I am not asking according to My capacity, but according to their capacity, [and I will value even this small contribution].  At the moment God said concerning the sacrificial service: “My offering, My food, for My fires, My pleasing aroma, you shall take care to present to Me at its appointed time” (Numbers 28:2), Moses said: Who can provide You with offerings? If we sacrifice all the animals of the forest and all the trees of Lebanon, they would not suffice. God said to him: I am not asking according to My capacity, but according to their capacity, [a sheep in the morning and a sheep in the afternoon]. At the moment God said to him: “They shall make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8), Moses said before the Holy One, blessed be He: “Behold, the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You” (I Kings 8:27), and the verse states: “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth” (Jeremiah 23:24), and the verse states: “The heavens are My throne and the earth is My footstool; what house could you build for Me and what place could be My resting place?” (Isaiah 66:1). Can we make a Sanctuary for Him? The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: I am not asking according to My capacity, but according to their capacity: “You shall make the Tabernacle of ten sheets” (Exodus 26:1).  When the Israelites heard [that if they act to the best of their abilities, God will rest His presence in the Tabernacle], they arose and contributed and made the Tabernacle. Once they made the Tabernacle, it became filled with God’s glory, as it is stated: “Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud rested upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle” (40:35). <source>(<i>Tanĥuma</i> [Buber], <i>Naso</i>) </source>