Ascending the ramp in haste

Hi,

In what Sefer haChinuch lists as the Torah's 41st mitzvah, HaShem instructed the Jews to build a ramp, rather than steps, leading on to the mizbeiach [altar in the Temple]. As the Torah explains, the purpose is, "so as not to reveal your ervah upon it." Certain parts of a person are classified as "ervah" and are to be covered; taking broad steps on the altar, wearing a tunic, would cause those parts to be more exposed than usual.

According to Sefer haChinuch, there is an added dimension involved in this mitzvah. Taking broad steps displays arrogance and/or frivolity, and we try to conduct ourselves with gravity in the Beit haMikdash. Using a ramp forces a person to take smaller steps and therefore walk with a more disciplined gait.

Regardless of whether the issue is ervah or arrogance, this mitzvah is about the gait rather than the ramp; one who takes broad steps in ascending the ramp is in violation of the law.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

No iron on the altar

Hi,

The Torah disqualifies stones that have been cut with iron from use for the mizbeiach [altar for offerings to Gd]; according to Sefer haChinuch, this is the fortieth mitzvah in the Torah. There is some debate as to whether we may use stones that were cut before their dedication, but certainly we may not use iron tools to shape the stones once they have been dedicated. (See Tosafot Succah 49a and Minchat Chinuch 40:2.)

Sefer haChinuch explains that iron symbolizes the spilling of blood, as well as general destruction; it is inappropriate to build an altar, the locus of atonement and the site at which blessings and peace are generated, with a destructive tool.

It is noteworthy that we do use iron for other mitzvot. For example, the Rambam ruled that the ideal material for a circumcision knife is iron (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Milah 2:1; see Perishah to Tur Yoreh Deah 264:7 and Chatam Sofer to Shabbat 134b for fascinating related comments).

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Worshipping Gd through our actions

Hi,

On the Torah's prohibition against worshipping Gd at a single-stone "matzeivah" monument, as opposed to a multi-stone "mizbeiach" altar:

"The matzeivah, a stone taken from Gd’s creation, represents a memorial to that which Gd has done for us in Nature and History, whereas mizbeiach, a structure built up out of several stones by human hands is meant to represent the devotion of human activity to Gd…

"With the presentation of the Torah, the matzeivah concept is not only included in and absorbed by the mizbeiach, but matzeivah becomes actually sinful. Merely worshipping Gd in His Greatness and Allmight is not only a form of homage which is not pleasing to Gd, but, as our text expresses it, henceforth Gd “hates” any worship of His Greatness and Allmight which does not seek to express the moral submission of the whole of the human being to His Law, His Torah."

(R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Commentary to Devarim 16:22, Grunfeld translation)

Have a great day,
Mordechai