A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas Titzaveh – Parshas Zachor
Pitom Hakitores
The Mizbeach Hazahav is mentioned in this week’s parsha as the final utensil Hashem Yisborach instructed Klal Yisrael to fashion for the Mishkan. Upon it, B’nai Yisrael offered the Ketores, the fragrant incense offering. Seemingly, the Mizbeach should have been sequenced along with the other keilim in Parshas Trumah. With its, zer zahav, golden crown, corresponding to the kesser kehuna, it naturally belongs together with the Aron and the Shulchan. Chazal wonder why this tzivui is saved for last. What lesson are we being taught?
Mifarshim explain that it should be no wonder that the Mizbeach Haketores is saved for the end; after all, it represents the climax of our avodah. Its sweet aroma offered on high, expresses the ultimate accomplishment of our Yiddishe Neshama. In fact, Chazal darshan in sefer Shir Hashirim, that the Chanukas Hamishkan could not take place until the ketores was finally offered. In addtion, so vital is the Ketores that it was the focus of a significant portion of the Yom Kippur avodah once a year.
So what is the significance of the Ketores? The Midrash Tanchuma points out that, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, kivayavhol, exclaims, “No korban is more precious to Me than the Ketores. All other korbanos are needed by Klal Yisrael for kaporah. The Ketores, however, does not atone for sin or for any other personal need. Its only purpose is Simcha!” Yes, it is Simcha – true joy in our avodas Hashem, that is the penultimate ambition yielded by our avodah each day. That is the tachlis of the Aron, Menorah, Shulchan and Mizbeach in accessing new heights in connecting with the Shechina. Today, mirroring the avodah in the Mishkan, we study the Torah Shebichsav (Aron), shteig in Torah sh’baal peh (menorah) and sanctify our material surroundings (shulchan). We offer Hashem Yisborach our avodah sheb’lev, Tefilah, in place of the korbanos sacrificed on the Mizbeach. But those all have to be followed up with our own “Ketores,” the simchas hachayim we project and that we offer to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. That is the sweet fragrant aroma of living the Torahdike life we are expected to follow. The greater our joy in bringing Hakadosh Baruch Hu pride in us, the more significant our avoda will be. Living a life b’simcha seems a simple prescription but it can require a lifetime of work. Nevertheless, without it we could not have consecrated the Mishkan then, nor can we hope to build the Bais Hamikdash today.
Perhaps this is why Purim is the final chag of our year. Before entering Nissan, the chodesh hageula, we desire to demonstrate our desire to grow in internalizing and projecting the simchas hachayim which helps lead to our redemption. Amalek, the ultimate cynic, finds no joy in our happiness as he tries to infect us with lethargy and negativity toward serving Hakadosh Baruch Hu. With the true simcha of Purim we can vanquish the Amalek both within and without and strengthen our kesher with Hashem Yisborach. Ending the year with that joyful high of being His chosen people is the best preparation for that Day of Days to come. May our ketores of simcha , be received and offered once more, bimhara b’yameinu.
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