Of the many miracles to occur in the Tabernacle, the grandest were displayed with the Altar. The Midrash1 tells us that when HaShem [i.e., God] commanded Moses to build an Altar of acacia wood overlaid with a thin layer of copper, Moses expressed concern that the continuous fire burning on the altar would melt the copper sheet and consume the wood. HaShem replied that Moses should not expect the laws of nature to restrict the Divine Presence. Just as the angels that are made of fire and flame are able to survive amidst snow and ice, so will the Altar. He was reminded of his own experience as he ascended the Mount in the thick darkness and approached the fiery celestial beings, Moses had also come away unharmed for he had ascended in HaShem’s Honor.
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Author: Elie Munk
Keywords: Altar, Altar of burnt offering, Shittim wood, Acacia wood, Tabernacle, Sacrifice offering, Sacrificial offering, The altar, Overlaid with copper, Overlaid with brass
Bible reference(s): Exodus 27:1-2, Exodus 38:1-2, Leviticus 1:7-9, Leviticus 3:5, Leviticus 6:12
Source: The Call of the Torah (ArtScroll), p. 389.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.