“And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell within them.”
(Shemos 25:8)

The early commentators said: “It doesn’t say ‘within it’ rather ‘within them’ — within the heart of each one.”
And there is a need to delve [into this]. The simple explanation of the pasuk is that the Shechinah will rest on the site of the sanctuary and because the Shechinah rests on it it will be in the midst of Israel. And if so why did they come and change the meaning of the pasuk and explain it homiletically — that the Shechinah will dwell in the heart of each one? (Rav Elazar Menacham Mann Shach Rosh Amanah)
My righteous daughter is davening. She lost her sticker album and I don’t know where it is. I’m also not prepared to search for it after I asked her to put it away so many times. So now she’s davening: “Hashem please help me find my sticker album. Send a small angel to return it to my drawer. Make a great miracle and suddenly I’ll see where the album is hiding.” Her four and a half years serve her well for a serious prayer like this. I find myself davening along with her — that her pure prayer be answered that her faith remain strong.
“Mommy ” she asks “are you sure I davened to the right side of the sky?”
Oh my child. How will I explain to you Who G-d is and that His glory fills the whole earth?
“Hashem is everywhere ” I say.
I want to explain that He’s in her heart but the depth of the statement causes me to remain silent. I too do not fully understand.
When HaKadosh Baruch Hu announced the establishment of the Mishkan there was room to err and think that the main [point] of the Mishkan was the offering of sacrifices to find favor in Hashem’s Eyes and to atone for sins.
Therefore the pasuk comes and says that the purpose of the Mishkan is not the avodah and atonement in and of themselves. Rather the main [point] is that the Shechinah rests in the heart of each one. The Will of Hashem is that His Presence dwell within the heart and in the depth of the soul. (ibid.)
[The sacrifices] were intended only to demonstrate to a person just how much he is required to sacrifice his ego — “When any man from you brings an offering” — to make room for the Shechinah to dwell within him. (ibid)
Rows of animals Kohanim in golden vestments a fire burning on the Mizbeiach the Leviim playing heavenly music. Are those really not the purpose? Are those really only a demonstration? A visual intermediary?
Yes. They remain a parable today as well when there are no Kohanim and no korbanos when the Beis Hamikdash is in ruins. A person sinned and brought with him a sheep to the Beis Hamikdash. He walked the whole way alongside the sheep with his heart awash with feelings of regret. He stood in the Beis Hamikdash and the beautiful sounds of the lyre and harp electrified his soul. Then the Kohein slaughtered the sheep and sacrificed it to Hashem leaving the man pure and with atonement.
This is a parable for all those who want to reach G-d. They can. All they need to do is build the Beis Hamikdash within.
And the sacrifices? The sheep and the lamb the bull and the ram they too are a parable for so many things. Things I can overcome. Even a little bit and even for a few minutes. I hold back the juicy gossip I want to share. I bite my lip when I want to snap at my husband. I ignore the nasty comment my sister-in-law makes.
“HaKadosh Baruch Hu doesn’t demand the sacrifice…. Rather [Hashem demands] the sacrificing of the soul of the blood and his wishes and desires for the sake of Hashem.
“HaKadosh Baruch Hu desired to bring merit to Israel therefore He [gave] them many commandments.” Hashem’s desire is the refinement of the soul of man and the goal of the commandments whether the sacrifices or learning Torah is to reach the degree of refinement of the soul. (ibid.)
I hold back offer up sacrifices. And I hope Hashem will dwell within me.