As we prepare to begin reading Sefer Shemos, our attention is drawn to the events of our period of national enslavement in Mitzrayim and the subsequent Geulah. Indeed, Sefer Shemos is referred to by Chazal as Sefer HaGeulah because the redemption from Mitzrayim is one of the dominant themes of the sefer. The Ramban, however, questions how the nickname Sefer HaGeulah applies to the second half of the sefer. After all, the major topic of discussion there is the building of the Mishkan. What does that have to do with Geulah?

The Ramban explains that the redemption from Mitzrayim was not intended merely to bring about the physical and political freedom of the oppressed Jewish nation. Rather the goal was to bring these people to the level of relationship to Hashem that was experienced by our Avos, by having them create a place on earth wherein Hashem's Shechinah could dwell and be felt by all who sought to experience it. The Jews were indeed recreating the atmosphere which had existed at the time of the Avos, but this time on a national level. The building of the Mishkan was thus very much a part of the Geulah process in that it was the fulfillment of the spiritual purpose of the redemption.

As is well known, every shul possesses the kedusha of the Mishkan (and the Beis HaMikdash), albeit in a miniaturized fashion. It is critical that people who are part of a shul recognize that it exists first and foremost as a place where one can work on one's relationship with Hashem. As our Kehilla stands poised to take the next step towards establishing a more permanent location of our own, we are hopeful that we will be joined by all who share our vision about what a shul represents, and that we too will be able, in some small way, to develop a Makom Kadosh where the Shechinah will be experienced by us all.