Exodus 27

Chag sameach! Welcome to our very first Jewish learning adventure. Have you ever looked at a really old building, maybe a castle or a grand old house, and wondered about all the little details? Like, why is that window shaped that way? Or what was this room used for? It’s like peeking into the past, right? Well, today, we're going to do just that, but with a spiritual twist. We're going to peek into the instructions for building something incredibly important in Jewish tradition: the Mishkan, or Tabernacle. Think of it as a portable sanctuary, a special place for God to be present with the Israelites as they journeyed through the desert. We’re going to focus on a specific part of it, the altar, and it’s not as complicated as it might sound. We’ll break down the ancient instructions and see if there’s anything we can learn from them for our lives today. No need to know any Hebrew or have any fancy background; we're all beginners here, ready to explore together. Let's dive in!

Context

Here’s a little bit of background to help us understand what we’re reading today:

Who, When, and Where?

• Who: This text is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It’s a set of instructions given by God to Moses, who then passed them on to the Israelites.
• When: This is happening as the Israelites are wandering in the desert after escaping from slavery in Egypt. They’re on their way to the Promised Land.
• Where: The instructions are given on Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Torah, and they are about building the Mishkan, which will travel with the Israelites.
• What is the Mishkan? The Mishkan (pronounced MISH-kahn) was a portable sanctuary, a tent where God’s presence was believed to dwell among the Israelites.

One Key Term: The Altar

• Altar: A raised structure, often made of stone or wood, used for offerings or sacrifices. In this case, it’s for special rituals and connecting with God.

Text Snapshot

Here’s a taste of what the instructions tell us about the altar:

"You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar is to be square—and three cubits high. Make its horns on the four corners, the horns to be of one piece with it; and overlay it with copper. Make the pails for removing its ashes, as well as its scrapers, basins, flesh hooks, and fire pans—make all its utensils of copper. Make for it a grating of meshwork in copper; and on the mesh make four copper rings at its four corners. Set the mesh below, under the ledge of the altar, so that it extends to the middle of the altar. And make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with copper. The poles shall be inserted into the rings, so that the poles remain on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. Make it hollow, of boards. As you were shown on the mountain, so shall they be made." (Exodus 27:1-7)

Close Reading

Let’s take a closer look at these instructions and see what they might be hinting at for us, even thousands of years later. It’s like looking at an ancient blueprint and trying to understand the architect’s vision, not just for the building, but for what it represents.

### The Altar as a Sturdy, Square Foundation

The text starts by describing the altar’s dimensions: "five cubits long and five cubits wide—the altar is to be square—and three cubits high." (Exodus 27:1). What's interesting here is the repetition of "square" and the specific measurements. The commentators are quite fascinated by this. Ibn Ezra mentions that "square" can refer to different shapes, but here it means the length and width are the same. Haamek Davar adds that the word "square" is important for future generations, to ensure they understand the concept of a solid, un-chipped base for the altar.

Think about it: a square is a very stable shape. It doesn't tip over easily. It has four equal sides, suggesting balance and completeness. This altar is meant to be the central point for important rituals. It needs to be solid, reliable, and unchanging in its basic form. This isn't just about building materials; it's about creating a foundation.

What does this mean for us? We can think about our own lives. What are the "square" foundations we need? It could be our values, our commitments, or the core principles that guide us. Just as the altar needed to be a sturdy, unchanging structure, we too can benefit from having strong, stable foundations in our lives. These foundations help us navigate challenges and stay grounded. It's not about being rigid, but about having a solid core from which we can grow and adapt.

### The "Horns" and What They Might Represent

Then we read about the "horns": "Make its horns on the four corners, the horns to be of one piece with it; and overlay it with copper." (Exodus 27:2). The word "horns" here might sound a bit strange, conjuring images of an animal. In ancient times, horns could symbolize strength, power, and even a place of refuge or protection. The Kli Yakar commentary connects these horns to "covering for brazenness of face" and compares it to a ram butting upwards. It suggests that these horns might be a way to atone for arrogance or pride.

This is a powerful idea. The altar, a place of connection to God, has these "horns" that seem to point upwards, perhaps reaching out or acting as a shield. They are "of one piece with it," meaning they are integral to the altar's design, not separate additions. This suggests that strength and protection, or perhaps the humility to confront our own arrogance, are woven into the very fabric of this sacred space.

For us, this can be a metaphor for developing inner strength and resilience. The "horns" could represent the courage to stand up for what's right, to protect ourselves and others, and to confront our own flaws, like pride. They are part of us, not something we add on later. It's about integrating these qualities into our character, so that our strength is genuine and our ability to overcome challenges is built-in. It's a reminder that even in our efforts to connect with the divine, we are also meant to cultivate these qualities within ourselves.

### The Copper and Its Significance

The text repeatedly mentions copper: "overlay it with copper," "make all its utensils of copper," "Make for it a grating of meshwork in copper." (Exodus 27:2-3). Why copper? The Kli Yakar offers a fascinating insight: "overlay it with copper... for brazenness of face." This connects copper to a sense of solidity and perhaps even a covering for something that might be too exposed or vulnerable. In ancient times, copper was a strong and durable metal. It was also known for its reddish hue.

The idea of overlaying the altar, which is made of wood, with copper is significant. Wood can be beautiful, but it can also burn. Copper, on the other hand, is more resistant to heat and wear. This suggests a transformation, a strengthening. The Kli Yakar’s link to "brazenness of face" is particularly intriguing. It implies that this covering helps to deal with, or perhaps atone for, a kind of spiritual "toughness" or arrogance.

What can we learn from this? Copper is a strong, enduring metal. It’s also a conductor of heat. The altar is where fire is offered. Perhaps the copper represents a kind of spiritual resilience or protection that allows us to approach the "fire" of spiritual practice or challenging experiences without being consumed. It’s about being strong enough to face the heat, to transform it, and to emerge stronger, not burnt out. It also hints that our connection to the divine might involve confronting and transforming aspects of ourselves that are overly proud or defensive.

### The Hollow Structure and Its Purpose

The text also mentions that the altar is to be "hollow, of boards" (Exodus 27:6). This detail is quite specific. It means the altar isn't a solid block but is constructed from wooden boards, creating an empty space inside. The Kli Yakar commentary elaborates on this, suggesting that "anyone who is empty and hollow without knowledge and understanding needs to gain wisdom to return to repentance." It links this hollowness to a spiritual emptiness that needs to be filled with understanding and repentance.

This is a profound idea. An altar that is hollow, yet built with sturdy boards and overlaid with copper, suggests a vessel. It’s designed to contain something. In the context of the altar, it contained the fire and the offerings. For us, this "hollow" aspect can be a reminder of our own capacity for growth and learning. We are not meant to be spiritually "full" or complete from the start. Instead, we are like these hollow structures, meant to be filled with knowledge, understanding, and a desire to improve.

This also speaks to the importance of humility in our spiritual journey. Recognizing our own "hollowness" or areas where we lack understanding is not a sign of weakness, but the first step towards growth. It’s an invitation to seek wisdom, to learn, and to be open to transformation. The altar’s hollow design, therefore, becomes a symbol of potential – the potential to be filled with something sacred and meaningful.

### The Altar as a Gateway for Connection

Finally, the instructions emphasize that the altar is made "As you were shown on the mountain, so shall they be made" (Exodus 27:7). This reinforces the idea that these instructions are divinely given and meant to be followed precisely. The altar is not just a random construction; it's a carefully designed gateway for the Israelites to connect with God.

The Rashbam identifies this as "the copper altar located in the courtyard in front of the Tabernacle." This placement is significant. It's the first major structure encountered as one approaches the inner sanctuary. It's where the initial acts of worship and connection would take place.

For us, this "gateway" concept is very relatable. We all have ways we try to connect with something larger than ourselves, whether through prayer, meditation, acts of kindness, or studying sacred texts. The altar, in its designated place and with its specific design, served as that physical and spiritual gateway. It reminds us that creating intentional spaces and practices for connection is important. It's about preparing ourselves to encounter the sacred, and the altar’s design was a blueprint for how to do that.

Apply It

Here's a tiny practice you can try this week, inspired by our reading. It takes less than a minute a day!

### My Daily "Altar of Intention"

The Practice: Each day, for the next week, find one minute (maybe when you first wake up, or before you go to sleep) to focus on one aspect of the altar that resonated with you.

How to do it:

1. Choose one concept: Pick one of the ideas we discussed: the square foundation, the horns of strength, the copper's resilience, the hollow space for learning, or the altar as a gateway.
2. Set a timer for 60 seconds.
3. Close your eyes (if comfortable) and bring that concept to mind.
   • Square Foundation: Think about what makes you feel grounded and stable in your life.
   • Horns of Strength: Consider one small act of courage or strength you can embody today.
   • Copper's Resilience: Reflect on a time you felt resilient, or a way you can be more resilient today.
   • Hollow Space for Learning: Think about something new you'd like to understand or learn, even something small.
   • Altar as a Gateway: Imagine a moment today where you can intentionally create a small "gateway" for connection – perhaps a mindful breath, a kind word, or a moment of gratitude.
4. Simply hold that thought or feeling for the minute. No need to do anything else, just be with it.
5. When the minute is up, gently open your eyes.

That’s it! You're creating your own mini "altar of intention" for a minute each day. It’s a way to internalize these ancient ideas in a very personal and manageable way.

Chevruta Mini

Grab a friend, family member, or even just talk to yourself out loud! Here are two questions to spark a little conversation about what we learned today:

### Discussion Question 1: What "Square Foundation" Matters Most to You?

We talked about the altar needing to be a stable, square foundation. What do you think is the most important "square foundation" – a core principle, value, or habit – for a good and meaningful life? Why does that one stand out to you?

### Discussion Question 2: Building Our Own "Gateway"

The altar was a gateway for connection. What’s one small, everyday "gateway" you can create for connection in your life this week? This could be a connection to nature, to a loved one, to your own inner thoughts, or to a spiritual idea. How might you build that gateway, even just for a few moments?

Takeaway

Remember this: Ancient instructions for building a sacred space can offer timeless wisdom for building a meaningful life.