Ha Mizbeak miqtar kw’toreth (The altar to burn incense upon)

Fashioned by one of our wise hearted, this mizbeak was formed out of wood from the shittiym tree, overlayed with pure gold, and surrounded by a crown of gold. It was carried via staves made of acacia tree (they too were overlayed with gold). The mizbeak was placed before the sacred paroketh (veil) – just outside of the most set apart chamber in the miqdash (tabernacle). Koheyn Gadol Aharon (High Priest Aaron) was the only one allowed to burn kw’toret samiym (incense of sweet spices) on it daily.  Torah states explicitly that our forebearers and those of us living today - not use this mizbeak for oloth (“burnt offerings”) or minkoth (“meal offerings”). If we failed to keep the charge we would face a judgment of being considered as one offering kw’toret zarah (strange incense) before Yah Yisrael. It’s important to note that this is a sacred item in the most sacred space for our people. Only Aharon and the person sitting in the stead of the Koheyn Gadol could utilize it (that also performs the purification rites for it). It did not restrict Am Yisrael from burning incense in their own dwelling places or in the camp (although restrictions are in place for making the set apart concoction or a combination mimicking/resembling it for usage). This mizbeak is different from the general mizbeak – which is outside of this space – and used for oloth and minkoth. The two are not to ever be confused. And those specifically designated to do the sacred work are not to ever be confused. Everything and everyone had their place and their function. This is the order of Yah Yisrael and it remains in place until this day. This is the clarity of which our father operated in, continues to operate in, and will operate in in time to come. There are many calling themselves by names that they have no rightful authority in. So discretion is important. As such, may we be reminded of the larger lesson; everything HE creates has a purpose (even the façade of a title). It’s our job to learn what the truth is and to operate accordingly – fearing HIM and respecting those that have been identified and appointed to fulfill HIS roles or we run the risk of appearing before him in a strange way!

Peace be to you. Peace be to your house. And peace be unto all that is yours! Shalom Shalom!

Bn Shmû ÉL is a loyal son, committed father, founder of HaDBR Media, Chief Editor at Bn Shmû ÉL Publishing House, and author of The Land Of Milk and Honey: The Heart Of The World. https://www.bn-shmu-el.com/shop .