Letting G-d In

The Parsha speaks of the אוהל מועד, Tent of Meeting, where Hashem dwells even בטומאתם, when we are in a state of impurity. Although one’s sins distance a person from G-d, like a father, He never stops loving us.

Similarly, a child might rebel against his parent, but the parent’s love for the child remains intense.

That which can distance a person from Hashem is his arrogance. When one is full of himself, he leaves no place for the spirituality to enter.

Rabbi Twerski pointed out that our souls crave to be united with its Source. However, this craving is blocked by a person’s own sense of inadequacy, and lack of self esteem. He wrote that vanity and conceit are a desperate defense to cope with unworthiness. Rabbeinu Yonah added that people try to compensate for a feeling of defectiveness. This is what leads to the arrogance that does not allow Hashem to enter.

This is exactly what the Kotzker Rebbe answered when he was asked where one can find G-d. He said that Hashem is found wherever he is welcomed.

We must work at overcoming our shortcomings so that we reject the negative and welcome that which our soul craves.