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R. Avraham Ben David
2. Rashi’s answer
3. Harav Kook’s answer: God-worship now and then
Altars now and then
"Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which the Lord thy G-od hateth" (ch.16, v.22). We saw that our ancestors used pillars for the service of G-od: When Jacob had slept in Beit-El on his way to Lavan, he "took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it" (Genesis 28,18). On his return from Padan-Aram, Jacob comes back to Beit-El and again - "Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He spoke with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured out a drink- offering thereon, and poured oil thereon" (Genesis 35,14). In contrast to this, it is said at the beginning of our Portion -"Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which the Lord thy G-od hateth" . The Torah was not satisfied with only determining that making a pillar is forbidden, but also added that it is hated by G-od!
Rashi’s answer
Rabbi Abraham Iben-Ezra explains that the prohibition mentioned here relates only to pillars being made for idolatrous worship, but a pillar being made for the sanctification of G-od was not banned. Rashi, however, claims that this prohibition relates to every pillar whatsoever, even in order to sacrifice on it to Heaven. Therefore he explains that although "it was pleased to Him in the days of our ancestors, now He hates it". Why? "because they (the Canaanites) made it an ordinance of an idolatrous character". Rashi also explains the difference between a pillar and an altar: a pillar is one stone made for sacrifice, and this is forbidden, while an "altar of stones and an altar of land He has commanded you to make".
Harav Kook’s answer: God-worship now and then
While Rashi brings a historical explanation of the "change" - as it were - in G-od’s attitude to the pillar, Harav Kook (Letters, No.746) provides us with a theoretical-conceptual one. Rambam describes the pillar as a monument around which people are gathered for worship. This way of worship - says Harav Kook - was pleased in the days of the ancestors, when there was not yet any difference between the nations, and Abraham called all the inhabitants of the globe to appeal to G-od. This was Abraham’s unique way, to teach all human-beings that there is a Master of this world. This "universal" approach suits the character of the pillar, which gathers everyone around it, without making any differentiation between one person and another.
In the days of the descendant, however, there is already a special nation, which has received a Torah, with a detailed Devine instructions about the Devine service. From this point on worship of G-od is done "in the house". A house has walls, which separate the inside from the outside. Only those who deserve being in the house are allowed to enter, and the level of their worship is much higher.
Jacob foresaw this and said: "And this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be G-od’s house" (Genesis 28,22). That is to say, not a pillar, which everyone gathers around but a house made of surrounding walls, designed for the worship of only those worthy of it.
Our Sages of Blessed Memory (Tractate Pesahim p. 88) say: "What is the meaning of the verse ‘And many nations shall go and say: Let us go and climb the mountain of the G-od, the house of Jacob’s Lord’? - Not as Abraham, who called it a mountain and not as Isaac, who called it a field but as Jacob, who called it a house". A mountain is an elevated area that one may approach from any side one comes. That was Abraham’s way, of bringing everyone beneath the wings of Presence. A field has its borders; it has some limits. The house has walls as barriers and only the deserving one is allowed to come in.
We may add that this is also the difference between a pillar and an altar: the pillar consists of one stone and is parallel to the general call aiming to notify that there is a Master of the world. The altar consists of many stones and it is suitable for the nation that has got detailed Divine guiding and all the details of its life are illuminated by Divine light by Torah and Mitzvoth.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
