Cantor Julia Cadrain: Sanctuary (Shaker Hymn)

Shabbat Worship at Central Synagogue: February 20, 2015
There's a verse that we read this week in Parashat Terumah that says "Ve'asu li mikdash veshachanti betocham," which means "Build for Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them." (Exod. 25:8) It says "them," meaning God may dwell among them-the people, rather than it-the Sanctuary. This is the idea that God isn't contained within any particular physical space, but rather exists in the spaces between people and in the relationships we have with each other.
V’asu li mikdash
V’shachanti b’tocham
Va-anachnu n’varech Yah
Me-ata v’ad olam!
Lord, prepare me to be a Sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for You!