A Soulful Journey

When the stone altar was constructed in Jerusalem for the Holy Temple, we are told that no iron could be used in its construction.  Each stone had to be quarried by hand using no metal implements.  As the Mishnah directs, "... iron is used to shorten lives while the altar extends life."   Middot 3:4 We use metals to destroy.  Our deepest hopes, aspirations, learning and prayers must be used to allay our worst impulses.  We must never confuse to the two. Our task to bring Godliness into the world, not introduce more chaos and  destruction.

Rabbi Zusya's wife was unhappy in their marriage and persistently asked for a divorce.  One night the rabbi called to her, "Hindle, look here."  He showed her that his pillow was wet. "The Talmud tells is that a man divorces his first wife, that altar itself sheds tears for them.  My pillow islet with those tears,  Will you still insist on divorce?" From  then on, Zusya's wife was happy and content. Do not wait for hurt and pain to appreciate that love in your life.

Rabbi Zusya's wife was unhappy in their marriage and consistently ask him for a divorce.  One night the rabbi called to her, "Hendle, look here."  He showed her that his pillow was wet. "The Talmud tells us that if a man  divorces his first wife, the altar itself sighs tears for him.  My pillow is wet with those tears.  Now, do you still insist that we have a divorce?" From then on Rabi Zusya's wife became happy and contented. Can you solve your ache?

"When history began there was only one holiness in the world, holiness in time." At Sinai, "holiness was proclaimed." It was only after worshipping the golden calf that the Sanctuary became necessary. "The sanctity of time came first, the sanctity of man came second, and the sanctity of space last."

"Iron abridges life, While the altar prolongs it. Iron causes destruction, And it causes misery and suffering and sadness. But the altar? The holy altar leads to reconciliation between the Almighty Lord God and man.”   -Michael J. Katz Anything can be used to tear down or build up.  Anything.

"R. Johanan and R. Eleazar both explain that as long as the Temple stood, the altar atoned for Israel, but now a man's table atones for him."  - Talmud, Berachot 55  How does your table truly represent the holy  altar ?