Purpose and Placement of the Incense Altar/2

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Purpose of the Incense Altar

Exegetical Approaches

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Atonement

The incense played an important role in attaining atonement and abating the wrath of Hashem.

Evidence of this atoning role – R. Saba points to the incense brought by Aharon to stop the plague in the aftermath of Korach's rebellion (Bemidbar 17:9-13). He further suggests that the statement "וְכִפֶּר אַהֲרֹן עַל קַרְנֹתָיו אַחַת בַּשָּׁנָה מִדַּם חַטַּאת הַכִּפֻּרִים" proves that the atonement of Yom HaKippurim was dependent upon it.1

Protective Screen

The cloud of incense created a protective buffer between the Divine presence and the priests.

Sources:modern scholars2

Deodorizer

The Incense Altar functioned as a deodorizer for the Mishkan. The odors of the animal slaughter and blood would have been overwhelming if they were not countered by the fragrance of the incense.

Exalted Status

The Incense Altar is mentioned at the end of the discussion of the Mishkan and its vessels to highlight its exalted status, being second only to the Ark in importance.

First and last – R. Saba asserts that the discussion of the Mishkan is framed by its two most important vessels. It begins with the Ark and closes with the Incense Altar.
Function of the Incense Altar – The incense played an important role in attaining atonement and abating the wrath of Hashem.  As evidence, R. Saba points to the incense brought by Aharon to stop the plague in the aftermath of Korach's rebellion (Bemidbar 17:9-13). He further suggests that the statement "וְכִפֶּר אַהֲרֹן עַל קַרְנֹתָיו אַחַת בַּשָּׁנָה מִדַּם חַטַּאת הַכִּפֻּרִים" proves that the atonement of Yom HaKippurim was dependent upon it.4
Purpose of the Tabernacle – According to R. Saba, the Tabernacle as a whole was built to atone for the Sin of the Golden Calf.5  As such, the Incense Altar, with its similar atoning function, is its second most central vessel.
Meaning of קטורת – R. Saba suggests that the root "קטר" means to tie, as it does in Aramaic. In its atoning role, the altar serves to tie together all the aspects of the Tabernacle.  It further connect and joins the nation to Hashem as they are forgiven.
Location in the sanctuary – The altar's placement in the Ohel Moed, facing the Ark, highlights their similar status.
Morning and evening – R. Saba suggests that the incense was burned in both the morning and evening to ensure that that throughout the day the incense could counter any potential wrath of Hashem.
Comparison to the Copper Altar – As the sacrifices on the Copper Altar similarly serve an atoning function, one might question why the Incense Altar is considered so much more important.  R. Saba might respond that sacrificial offerings of the Copper Altar are never seen to actively stop plague in the manner of the incense.6
Punishment of "כרת" – The special status and unique atoning capabilities of the incense might explain why anyone who makes the incense for their own pleasure is punished severely.

Distinct Function

The Incense Altar is discussed separately from the other vessels because it played a significantly different role than them. This position divides in its evaluation of that role:

Technical Role

The Incense Altar played only a technical role in the Mishkan, and had a much lower status than the other vessels in the Sanctuary.

Last is least – This approach assumes that the vessels are listed in order of their significance. Thus, if an object found at the end of the list, this implies that it is less important.
Function of the Incense Altar – Rambam asserts that the Incense Altar functioned as a deodorizer for the Mishkan.  The odors of the animal slaughter and blood would have been overwhelming if they were not countered by the fragrance of the incense.7  He adds that it was necessary to ensure that there was a pleasant fragrance for, otherwise, the people would not properly honor the Mikdash.
Context – Discussion of the Incense Altar is followed by a description of the water basin (כיור), also a secondary vessel which played no role in any cultic rite, and only served to clean and prepare the priests for service.  This context, thus, supports this approach's position that the Incense Altar also played merely a technical role.
Morning and evening – The incense was burned both in the morning and evening, around the time of the daily sacrificial offerings whose scent it was meant to counter.8
Placement of the Altar in the Tabernacle – One might question, if the incense was meant to clear the air from the burning flesh, why was it placed inside the sanctuary rather than outside, near the Copper Altar where the animals were being sacrificed?  Rambam might respond that it is specifically in the enclosed space of the Tabernacle that the odor would have been overwhelming. The altar was, thus, placed inside, but close to the outside curtain so as to most effectively accomplish its its goal.
Golden materials – If the altar was simply a deodorizer, it is not clear why it needed to be made of the most precious of metals, gold.  Rambam could reply that everything in the Tabernacle, regardless of their function, needed to be made of the highest quality materials both to honor God and to ensure that the people felt that the Tabernacle was worthy of glory.9
Can laws be utilitarian in nature? One might question whether it is possible that laws might be ordained for purely practical purposes, with no spiritual benefit. Rambam, though, is consistent in reading various laws as being utilitarian in nature. See, for example, his understanding of the laws of Shemittah and Kashrut.
Incense on Yom HaKippurim – The Yom HaKippurim service, which mandates that the high priest light incense and bring it to the Holy of Holies, is difficult for Rambam, as it is hard to say that this, too, was necessary merely to freshen the air..10 Moreover, the rite suggests that the incense burning was not considered a lowly ritual, but one of the most exalted of offerings.11
Incense in the story of Korach – One might further question this position's view of the incense from the story of Korach's rebellion.  If the incense played such an insignificant role in the Tabernacle, why was it chosen to test who merited the priestly position?
Punishment of "כרת"R. BachyaShemot 30:1About R. Bachya b. Asher further questions, if the incense was commanded for such a mundane reason, why is the death penalty is given to any who makes it on his own?

Complementary Role

The Incense Altar played an important role which was distinct from, but complemented the other service in the Mishkan.

Purpose of the Mishkan – According to these sources, the main function of the Mishkan, its vessels, and service was to invite and house Hashem's presence.13 Seforno suggests that the Ark, from which Hashem spoke to Moshe, served as Hashem's throne, while the outer sanctuary with the Table and Menorah were like a living room.14 The sacrificial service on the Copper Altar is man's active attempt to draw God's presence down into the Mishkan.  Thus, each vessel, with the notable exception of the Incense Altar, serves a key role in transforming the Mishkan into Hashem's home.15
Function of the Incense Altar – These sources differ in how they view the purpose of the incense and its altar:
  • Honor - Seforno16 suggest that the incense is brought not to invite Hashem's glory, but rather to honor it once it has already arrived.17
  • Atonement - Ramban and the Gr"A, instead, suggests that the Incense Altar plays an atoning role.18 This was not necessary to usher in the Divine Presence, but perhaps helped to ensure that it did not depart..
  • Screen - R"M Leibtag, R"E Samet and R"Y Grossman all suggest that, in contrast to the other vessels which were meant to invite the Divine presence, the cloud of incense was meant to screen the revelation.19  The Mishkan created a paradox.  Man, craving closeness, invites Hashem to dwell, but Hashem's Holy presence means that man must keep a distance.  Thus, the cloud of incense served to create a barrier to protect the people and enable the encounter.20
"וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" – Chapters 25-29 are sandwiched by the two statements "וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם" and "וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל", suggesting that everything that was commanded in between was intended to accomplish this goal of creating a dwelling place.  The fact that the command regarding the Incense Altar comes only after this inclusio, supports this position's understanding that it, in contrast, was not meant to invite or house the Divine presence.
Context – The discussion of the altar is found together with a discussion of other aspects of the Mishkan, like the basin, half shekel coins, and anointing oil which similarly play no role in inviting the Divine presence.
Location in the sanctuary – R. Samet suggests that the verse emphasizes that the altar faced the Ark "were I will meet with you" to highlight that the incense was meant to screen that revelation. It is also possible that its position in the outer sanctum was meant to show that, despite its distinct function, it was of equal importance to the adjacent Menorah and Table.
Morning and Evening – Seforno suggests that the incense is brought specifically when the daily sacrifices are offered, so that when Hashem descends to accept them, the nation can greet Him with honor, ensuring that the offerings are accepted with favor. The modern scholars might similarly explain that each day, right as the sacrifices are to usher in Hashem's presence,  a screen is needed to protect the people.

Change in Plan

The unique placement of the command regarding the incense indicates that it was not part of the original plans for the Mishkan, but introduced only after the Sin of the Golden Calf.

Sources:M. Speigelman21
Function of the Incense – According to this approach, the incense played a protective role. The incense cloud creates a barrier between man and God, which both ensures that man does not come too close to His presence22 and also helps protect him from Hashem's wrath.23
When was the Mishkan commanded? This position assumes that the Mishkan was commanded before the Sin of the Golden Calf but that certain changes were introduced in its aftermath.24
What changed?
  • Need for increased barriers - M. Speigelman suggests that until the sin, an incense cloud was only necessary if one was to enter the Holy of Holies, where God's presence was predominantly found.  For this, a censer would have sufficed. However, after the sin, Aharon proved himself unworthy of entering even the outer sanctuary without further barriers.  As such a daily incense, replete with an altar, was introduced.
  • Yom HaKippurim instituted – Alternatively, the altar was mandated only with the  the institution of Yom HaKiippurim, itself an innovation introduced in the aftermath of the sin.25 The day was instituted both in commemoration of Moshe's gaining  atonement for the people,26 and as an annual means of atoning for future sins. The dual screening and protective function of the incense played a central role in the service of the day, mandating the altar's construction. Afterwards, this became part of the Mishkan's daily service as well.
Why is the command mentioned before the sin? Despite the command being introduced only after the sin,27 it is placed here for thematic reasons, to complete the unit of the Mishkan and its vessels.  Nonetheless, it appears only after the unit's concluding verses to highlight hat it was not part of the original command.
Context

R"M Speigelman suggests that the half shekel coins discussed right after the incense altar were similarly instituted only after the sin.28 Since the nation had donated so eagerly to make the calf, Hashem mandates that they now donate to the Mishkan as atonement,29 as the verse itself says, "‎לְכַפֵּר עַל נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם".‎30