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The commandment to erect a mizbeach (altar) is found at the end of the parasha, after the command to make the Mishkan’s other vessels, its structure, its roof, and even its courtyard. Abarbanel was sensitive to this point and also raises the issue that the Torah says to build hamizbeiach (the altar), as opposed to the other vessels, which are written without the use of an article (e.g., an ark). He explains that "the" indicates that everyone was awaiting mention of the mizbeiach, since to people of that time, the main element of service of a deity was the bringing of sacrifices. This includes Adam and Noach, and also our great early leaders, such as the patriarchs and Moshe at the time of the giving of the Torah. So it is as if there is a known mizbeiach to which the word "the" refers to. Despite this, the Torah waits until close to the end to describe it.
David and Shlomo also saw the importance of the order, as we will explain. Both brought many korbanot when taking steps towards or actualizing, respectively, the building of the Beit Hamikdash. David did so when he uncovered the place where the Beit Hamikdash would stand (Shmuel II, 24:24-25), as stressed in Divrei Hayamim (I, 22:1), and when bringing the aron to Yerushalayim (Shmuel II, 6:12-13). Shlomo is described as bringing korbanot that were so many that they could not be counted (Melachim I, 8:4-5). Yet regarding building the Beit Hamikdash, it was not the mizbeiach that was stressed but the matter of the aron, especially in the way it was brought to Yerushalayim and brought to its permanent place (Melachim I, 6). Only in Divrei Hayamim does the building of the mizbeiach receive serious treatment, including regarding the descent of fire to the mizbeiach. In the writings of Chazal, as well, it is the moment of the bringing of the aron into the Mikdash that is described in exciting detail.
Our preoccupation with the aron, as opposed to the mizbeiach, also explains the halacha that when the aron leaves the area of the Mikdash, the Mikdash loses its status as the only place to bring a korban (Yerushalmi, Megilla 1:12). All of the above sends the following message. The dwelling of the Divine Presence, which is represented by the aron¸ is the main purpose of the sanctuary, not the ability to bring sacrifices. Let us pray for the restoration of the Mikdash and the fulfillment of the pasuk: "They will make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell in their midst" (Shemot 25:8).
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
