This week’s Torah portion tells about three different mizbachos-alters that Avraham Avinu constructed and made offerings upon during his travels. The first mizbeach was built when Hashem appeared to him and told him that he would have children and they would inherit the land. The second mizbeach was built in the city Ai when Avraham Avinu foresaw the sin of Achan, the loss of life there and the capturing of the city. The third was built on his way back from Mitzrayim in the city of Chevron.
Rashi gives reasons for the mizbachos which he quotes from the Medrash. The first was to show gratitude toward Hashem for the news of his children and their inheritance of the land. The second was to arouse compassion for his children who stumbled in the sin of Achan. The Medrash brings a reason for the third mizbeach but Rashi does not quote it for the third mizbeach. What is the reason Rashi omits the third reason?
In general, what purpose does the Torah fulfill in relating the stories of the Avos? The reason is because “maaseh Avos siman l’Banim”, their stories serve as a sign to meditate upon, which relate to future events that are to befall future generations. Even more the stories are actually the cause of those future events. For example, when there was a hunger in Eretz Yisroel, Avharam went to Mitzrayim with Sarah. He was afraid for his own life and not Sarah, because her life was not in danger. After this episode Avraham left with wealth. So too it was in the future generations when the Jewish people went to Mitzrayim the second time, the decrees primarily involved the men and not the women and they left with great wealth.
The Gemorah says that a mizbeach serves four puposes. It is “mayzin”, it provides sustenance to the world; it is “meyziach”, it pushes away unwanted decrees; it is “mikaper”, it brings forgiveness; it is “michavev”, it endears the Yidden to Hashem. They are really three not four because “mayziach”, pushes away decrees and “mikaper” brings atonement, are very similar in that they both push away things that are not positive.
These terms parallel the different types of karbonos. The term “mayzin” relates to shlamim offerings in that they bring sustenance to the Kohanim and their owners. The term “mikaper (mayziach)” relates to chatas and asham offerings as they atone (and through forgiveness pushes away all unwanted decrees. The term “michavev” relates to olah offerings in they bring endearment between Yidden and Hashem.
The three mizbachos also represent that which will be accomplished for Avraham’s children in the future. By being promised their life and receiving the land they will have sustenance (which relates to the term “mayzin” and the shlamim offering). When Yidden will be effected by the sin Achan when they try to capture Ai they will receive forgiveness (which relates to the term “mikaper” and the chatas offering). The city of Chevron represents connection “chibur”. The offering in Chevron represents the true service of a Yid to Hashem. This is a service that has no ulterior motive, rather solely motivated by love of Hashem, to honor Hashem alone (which relates to the term “michavev” and the olah offering). For this reason Rashi did not provide a reason for this mizbeach because it was for no other purpose just for the honor of hashem.
The three mizbachos represent the three Batei Mikdashos. Each of the three Batei Mikdashos had a thematic relation to each of the terms of the mizbeach. As explained in Chassidus the first Beis HaMikdash of Shlomo HaMelech was most closely associated with the avodah of tzadikim. This relates to the term “mayzin-sustenance”. Though the avodah of the Torah and Mitzvos the world is fed. The second Beis HaMikdash is most associated with the service of Baalei Teshuva which began after seventy years of galus. This relates to the term “mikaper-atonement (and “mayziach”- pushes away decrees) The decree of exile was finish and the Yidden received their atonement. The third Beis HaMikdash will have gilui elokus a revelation of G-dliness on the highest possible level. This relates to the term “michavev-endearment”. It is in this Beis HaMikdash that we will see the full and complete chibur-connection to Hashem. Chevron was the place where Dovid HaMelech was anointed as King and served his first seven years of kingship. This is the reason the Medrash gives for Avraham’s construction of the mizbeach in Chevron. Dovid HaMeleach’s kingship will be complete and everlasting when Moshiach comes bimhera beyameinu.
The lesson we can learn from the aforementioned is that we need to have a connection with the kingship of Dovid HaMelech even in and throughout the galus. Our teshuva and avodas Hashem of Torah and Mitzvos needs to be inspired with the knowledge that the highest and most complete revelation of Hashem’s presence will only occur with the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. This knowledge inspires our entire service to Hashem with a lust for the geula haamitis vehashleima!
(Based on Lekutei Sichos v. 30)