Commentary: On Exodus

You shall make an altar for burning incense. (Exodus 30:1)

The kingdom of heaven resembles a kingdom on earth. Just as human kings do, they make an incense burner—the sacrificial altar is like a kitchen—and there is a table and a lampstand. The place where the animals are slaughtered is far from the residence of the king, but the table and the lampstand and the incense burner are closer.

The Holy of Holies is the King’s room and the place of His throne—not because the Holy One needs such a thing, but because the Holy One desires to make Israel righteous. As the sages say: “The Omnipresent wished to give Israel opportunities to earn reward. That is why He so multiplied Torah and commandments” [m. Makkot 3:16]. And that is why He settled his shekhinah among them, so that the fear and awe of Him should be upon them. He ordained that they offer sacrifices before Him [ . . . ] to make expiation for themselves.

For when someone sins and then sees and knows that the sin is atoned for, and that he is once again innocent, he is even more careful not to sin and not to dirty himself with sin. But if he does not know that his sin is atoned for and goes on to sin today and again tomorrow and thinks, “I am filthy with sin,” he is careful no longer. [ . . . ] Think of someone who is wearing fine, clean, white clothing. As long as his clothes are sparkling white, he is careful not to stain them with mud and dirt. But as soon as they get dirty, he ceases to bother. That is why the Holy One commanded us about the Temple service and the sacrifices.