Ever heard the expression “A man’s home is his castle.” It is a bit outdated in a sense and the focus on the male is not quite in line with contemporary values, but there is something to this expression. A home is where you can feel protected from the outside elements, and can (potentially) be a place to escape not just the cold weather but the stress and hassle of life. On the subway or bus, in the office, café or mall, there is constant exposure, and no way to escape the curious eyes and constant distractions. When one is at home, he or she is truly in a sanctuary. Whether that home is a sanctuary of peace or merely a place to hide depends on the environment of the home.
In Chassidic philosophy, the home is compared to a Holy Temple in miniature. Thousands of years ago, the Temple stood in Jerusalem, and it was a place not only for sacrifices, but was a place to meet with G-d. Open miracles occurred there, like the Chanuka miracle of the one jar oil burning for eight days. It is written in the Torah “Let them build me a sanctuary, and I will dwell in their midst.” Meaning Hashem actually came to live with us, in a sense, while the Temple still stood.
Over 2,000 years since the destruction of the Temple, there is still a sense in which G-d can still dwell in our midst. It is said that the shechinah or the Divine Presence dwells in a Jewish home where there is peace and light. The Lubavitcher Rebbe compares the woman of the home to the High Priest who prepares sacrifices. Even the most mundane tasks in the home can be a vehicle for holy energy and can create a place for the Divine Presence to dwell.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about ways in which I can increase the sense of peace in the home, or how to make the house more of a home. Music can create the right atmosphere. Getting organized and eliminating clutter. Speaking in a softer tone, even when the baby is trying to climb on the chair. Trying to keep the focus positive, to engage in productive conversation instead of just kvetching.
These are things anyone can do to help make the home into a sanctuary of Peace filled with positive energy.