Lead Tidbit
Powerful Combination
We are taught about the strong connections between Shabbat and Mikdash and are shown the links in Ki Tisa, Vayak-hel, and elsewhere in the Torah. This combination of that which represents Sanctity of Place and that which represents Sanctity of Time elevates the status of each area of Mitzva. At first glance, Mikdash and Shabbat seem to be on equal footing: No building the Mikdash on Shabbat, on the one hand, and the Avoda in the Mikdash proceeding on Shabbat including acts that would ordinarily be Shabbat violations, on the other. More than that, they are given an equal status by virtue of the fact that Mikdash activity DEFINES Shabbat categories of forbidden activities. X, Y, or Z are serious violations on Shabbat BECAUSE they were things done in the construction and function of the Mikdash. This applies not only to types of activities, but to quality and quantity of Melachot. This many stitches, that many letters, because that was what was done in the Mishkan.

On second look, Shabbat seems to come out ahead, so to speak. As special as the Mikdash is to Jewish Life, we are taught that it is Shabbat that is the Eternal Sign between G-d and His people. It is the Mikdash that lends a special elevated status to Shabbat. And that causes Shabbat to rise higher.

Here's another way we may look at the Shabbat-Mikdash combination. Plowing, planting, reaping et al; spinning, sewing, weaving et al; building; tanning, dying, writing et al are all activities that we perform in our every day lives. They are mundane activities which we periodically elevate to great spiritual heights on those occasions in Jewish History (past and future) when we do them in fulfillment of V'ASU LI MIKDASH, build for Me a Sanctuary.

But we also elevate them spiritually when we refrain from doing them - week in and week out - in fulfillment of the laws of Shabbat. G-d gave us the gifts of intelligence, intellect, imagination, talent and skills to use for our own purposes, and to serve Him, and to abstain from them - when called upon - all in His honor. Powerful combination.