Purpose and Placement of the Incense Altar/2
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The Incense Altar – Placement and Purpose
Exegetical Approaches
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.
Function of the Incense Altar – R. Saba highlights the role played by the incense in attaining atonement and abating the wrath of Hashem. As evidence, he 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 is dependent upon it.2
Purpose of the Tabernacle – R. Saba maintains that the Tabernacle as a whole was built to atone for the Sin of the Golden Calf.3 As such, the incense altar, with its similar atoning function, is a 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.
Placement in the Kodesh – The altar's placement in the Ohel Moed, facing the Ark, symbolizes that it is second in status only to it.
"קֹדֶשׁ קׇדָשִׁים הוּא לַי"י" – This approach might suggest that this phrase describes the altar itself. It, like the ark, has "holy of holy" status.
Morning and Evening – R. Saba suggests that the incense was burned both in the morning and evening to ensure that that throughout the day the incense could counter Hashem's angry judgment that might otherwise punish the people.
Comparison to Copper Altar – As the sacrifices on the copper altar similarly serve an atoning function, one might question why the gold altar is considered so much more important. R. Saba might respond that offering of sacrifices does not actively stop plague in the manner of the incense. In addition, not all sacrifices were brought as expiation for sin and so the copper altar was not limited to atonement as was the incense altar.
Unique Function
The command to build the incense altar appears separately from the other vessels because it does not share their purpose. While the Tabernacle as a whole was meant to invite and house Hashem's presence, the incense altar had a different function.
Purpose of the Mishkan as a whole
Function of the incense altar
Secondary Vessel
The placement of the incense altar after the main discussion of the Mishkan's vessels highlights its lowly status and the technical role it played.
Function of the incense altar – These sources disagree regarding the altar's function:
- 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.4
- The Meshekh Chokhmah points out that the incense is burned even without an altar, which teaches that the golden altar, as opposed to the other vessels, is not in itself significant. It is simplya convenient way to bring the incense.
Change in Plan
Technicalities
The placement of the unit discussing the incense altar says nothing about the function or intrinsic worth of the vessel. It is simply the result of technical, literary concerns.
