The Mizbeach had a base (Yesod) that protruded one Amah outwards. The base only ran along the North and West sides of the Mizbeach. Along the South and East sides of the Mizbeach there was no base. Why?
The Beis Hamikdash structure and the Mizbeach were built in the territory of the Tribe of Binyomin. In Yaakov’s blessings, Binyomin is described as a devouring wolf. Prophetically this refers to the Mizbeach which would consume the Korbanos like a wolf devours its prey. The border with the Tribe of Yehudah ran through the courtyard where the Mizbeach stood. Our sages teach that Binyomin foresaw that a strip of the territory of Yehudah would encroach on the site of the Mizbeach at its South-Eastern corner. Binyomin was deeply bothered by this and yearned constantly for the entire Mizbeach to be within his territory. As a reward for his deep spiritual desire, Binyomin merited to become the resting place of the Shechina in the Beis Hamikdash. The Yesod was not built on this strip of land so that the entire Mizbeach would be in his territory as he had wished. When we have a genuine spiritual desire for connection with Hashem and are bothered when it is lacking in our lives, if we strive and pray for it, Hashem will gift us the spiritual connection that we long for. Sources: Mishna Middos 3:1 Zevachim 53b Zohar Vayechi
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
All posts
Read today's Beis Hamikash Thought Archives
August 2022
|