Written by Rabbi Krebs, College Rabbi

This week, the Torah transitions its focus from recounting the Exodus narrative and the broader Jewish saga to the theme of construction, particularly the building of the Mishkan. The Mishkan served as the central hub for ritual worship within the community, a space where inspiration could be drawn and spiritual experiences encountered.

At the heart of the Mishkan, and consequently the Temple, stood the Ark of the Covenant, the Aron haEidot. The meticulous instructions for crafting this remarkable artefact are outlined in intricate detail: “They shall make an ark of acacia wood… covered with pure gold both inside and out.”

The decision to coat the Ark’s interior with gold might seem curious. While gold symbolises majesty and glory, why adorn the inside as well?

Our sages draw from these verses to elucidate and prescribe the ideal character of an individual: “תוכו בברו” – “The insides should match the outsides.” Many of us grapple with congruence, striving to live lives consistent with our values. Sometimes, we espouse beliefs we fail to practise, our external façade misaligned with our internal truths. Other times, we project insincerity and disingenuousness, our outer appearance failing to reflect our inner selves.

In the words attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time,” but there are individuals whom you can never fool: your children. They perceive us with unparalleled clarity, seeing through our pretences. They recognise when our actions diverge from our professed values, serving as auditors and mirrors to our genuine value system.

We are all works in progress, at times shining more brightly externally, and at others, internally. Yet, our aspiration should be to embody תוכו בברו – consistency between our inner and outer selves.

Perhaps, delving deeper into the Mishkan’s construction, the lesson extends beyond parental consistency. Just as the Ark was pivotal to the Mishkan, the “Home” of Hashem, so too must our homes radiate gold both inwardly and outwardly. We ought to embody kindness through action, not mere rhetoric, fostering an environment of happiness within our homes, not just for public display.

A home characterised by תוכו בברו is one where children feel secure, exude confidence in their identities, and take pride in who they are.