 | | Parshat Tetzaveh concludes with a description of the Mizbach Hak'toret, the Altar for Incense, as it says, "You shall make an altar on which to bring incense up in smoke..." (Shemot 30:1). At first glance, the placement of this particular holy item appears out of place. Shouldn't it have been mentioned in last week's parsha, Parshat Terumah, in which all of the vessels and furnishings used for the Mishkan were enumerated? The fact is, the Mizbach Hak'toret was actually the most essential item in the Mishkan, for "although the Mishkan and all its vessels were made...the Divine Presence did not descend until [Aharon] offered the incense-offering" (Midrash Tanchuma, Parshat Teztaveh 15). Why? To help answer this question, we should turn to the words of the Sforno, who writes that the Mizbach Hak'toret "is not mentioned [along] with the other furnishings...because its purpose was not to cause God, the Blessed One, to dwell in our midst...Rather, the purpose of this altar was to honor God, the Blessed One... and to welcome His presence with the offering of incense..." (Sforno, Parshat Tetzaveh 30:1. Also see the Ramban).
After the Jewish people constructed a physical space for God to dwell among them, the incense-offering served as the sign that the people would genuinely and happily welcome God's presence into that space, as the Midrash Tanchuma explains:
The Holy One, blessed be He, said, "Out of all the sacrifices you offer, there is nothing I cherish more than the incense-offering." The proof is that all the sacrifices are for the needs of the Jewish people. In what way? The sin-offering is brought for a sin, and the guilt-offering likewise. The burnt-offering is brought for the thoughts of the mind, the peace-offerings come only for atonement, as they are brought for [neglect to fulfill] positive mitzvot. However, the incense-offering is brought neither for sin nor for iniquity nor for guilt, but [only] for joy...
God only dwelt in the midst of the people once He felt His Presence was truly welcomed by them, and the incense-offering served as the people's invitation to invite God into His Home and reside with them in sincerity, joy and love.
This Shabbat, let us think about the spaces we build for those we wish to have in our lives – our family and friends, and realize that the physical structures we create for them are only as strong as the hearts which invite and welcome them into our midst.
Shabbat Shalom!
-Rabbi Dan
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