by Rabbi Paul L. Saal (c)

In all synagogues there are certain aesthetics, furnishings and accouterments that one might expect to see.  Some are unique to certain architectural periods, but others are constant and universal to the synagogue experience. Most synagogue décor will include an aron hakodesh (a holy ark), a bema (the podium from where the torah is read), a ner tamid (an eternal light), an antique menorah, Torah and haftarah scrolls, and of course such pragmatic furnishings as chairs as well as decorative elaborations and artwork to set the building apart and to make it special.  But there is always one important piece of furniture that is missing that is central to the biblical narrative of the Mishkan.  That is the altar or the mizbe'ach, which is especially prevalent in this week's parsha.

I find it easiest to appreciate the profundity and the importance of the mizbe'ach through a simple acronym – mechilah (forgiveness), z'khut (merit), b'rakhah (blessing), and chayyim (life).

mechilah (forgiveness) – The altar in the Mishkan was the channel by which the Israelite and the entire Israelite community could seek reconciliation with God from Whom they had become estranged by sin.  The mizbe'ach was a constant reminder of the fragile nature of peace in this world. Therefore it was also a place for reconciliation with fellow sojourners. Before sacrificing the sh'lamim or peace offerings the worshipper was required to make amends to others who they may have inadvertently wronged. This is a reminder to us that we must first seek forgiveness from others, recognizing our own culpability and faults before coming before God who is the creator of all. We must also be willing to forgive others even as we have been forgiven.  This requires recognition that we are all faulty.

z'khut (merit) – Gratitude, humility and contrition found an outlet on the altar. By the exercise of these virtues life was ennobled and merit acquired. The righteous standards of God were inculcated through this liturgy of restoration. Merit therefore was not earned, rather it was apprehended through faithfulness and obedience to God. The mizbe'ach serves as a reminder that our worth and value comes from our Creator, who made each of us in His image.

b'rakhah (blessing) – By being true to the teachings that center around the altar, Israel received the Divine blessings. Only those who are blessed can be a blessing. Israel has been commanded to be a "a holy nation and kingdom of cohanim (priests)." The mizbe'ach points us toward our ultimate destiny, to be both agents and harbingers of a "new humanity" imaging the redemptive character of God in this world.

chayyim (life) – The altar stands as a monument along the path to life everlasting, to those things which abide forever, truth, righteousness and holiness. Creation is not devalued on the altar by the spector of death as some might imagine. Rather the altar beckons us to leave behind the apathy and cynicism so characteristic of the larger society and to embrace the hope that comes with faith in God's redemptive mission. The mizbe'ach is not a symbol of gross asceticism and does not demand mortification of the flesh, rather it encourages us to put to death the desires that master us and gain control of our lives. In turn the m'zbeach allows us to partner with God bringing the more abundant life into this world, and hastening olam habah (the age to come).

It is true that there is not a physical m'zbeach in any synagogues today, even as there are no longer animal sacrifices. But symbolically the mizbe'ach of Yeshua should stand in the center of all Messianic Jewish worship. Though it cannot be seen, its presence is in and through all that we do and all that we are. It is a reminder of God's unconditional forgiveness, and the merit that is imputed to all who embrace and imitate the faithfulness of Yeshua. Also it is a reminder of the blessings, which we receive, and the blessings that we are to be. Finally the mizbe'ach of Yeshua should be the monument in our sanctuary, in our homes and in our hearts that reminds us of our divinely initiated task to help bring the abundant life of God into the world.