We Ourselves Are the Mishkan

Rav Chaim taught that the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was not meant only to give Klal Yisroel an external structure. Hashem's real wish, in the Mishkan and in all its vessels, was to hint that we should learn from them and become a Mishkan ourselves. By our fine actions we are to be a sanctuary filled with holy, worthy vessels, ready for the Shechinah to dwell within us. This is the meaning of the verse “Make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell within them” (Shemos 25:8). It says “within them,” meaning within each one of us. Just as Hashem showed us the order of building the Mishkan, so we must learn to build ourselves into a dwelling place for Him. This is the duty of every Jew, not only of the Kohanim and Leviim, who served in the physical Bais HaMikdash.