Terumah – What We Carry With Us

The Tabernacle was built to move.

Unlike a grand, immovable temple, the Mishkan—the portable sanctuary described in Parashat Terumah—was designed to be packed up, carried through the wilderness, and reassembled wherever the Israelites camped. It was a sacred space that traveled with them.

As a nomad, this resonates deeply with me. I may not be schlepping gold-plated altars or embroidered curtains, but I do carry my own sacred objects. Things I bring not just for function, but for intention and grounding:

🕎 A travel menorah because light and tradition belong wherever I go.

🌿 Pieces of palo santo and essential oils—because scent has the power to transport us, turning any space into one of calm, focus, and ritual.

🧘‍♀️ A deck of chakra cards, because clarity doesn’t always come from the outside world—I carry the answers with me.

✨ A few tiny objects, stones, and shells—because even the smallest things can anchor us into the best versions of ourselves.

Our spaces hold energy. The objects we surround ourselves with shape our experiences. Have you ever noticed how a couch can swallow you whole, making it hard to get up and move? How stepping into a well-tended garden makes you breathe deeper? How certain yoga studios feel more grounding and authentic than others? 

The Mishkan wasn’t just a place for worship; it was a lesson in intentionality. Every object had a purpose. Every design choice created an atmosphere.

As a #traveler and #minimalist, I’ve had to ask myself: What do I really need to carry with me? Not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, culturally? What traditions, comforts, and rituals help me feel grounded, no matter where I am? 

The Tabernacle teaches us that sacred space isn’t about permanence—it’s about intention. We don’t need to be in one place to create meaning. We build it, carry it, and set it up wherever we go.

What do you carry with you—not just in your backpack, but in your heart—that makes anywhere feel like home?