5786/2026
In this week's Parashah, Parashat Yitro, there is a perplexing commandment in the beginning of Aliyat Shevi’i. The Pasuk states: “Im Mizbeach Avanim Ta’aseh Li, Lo Tivneh EtHen Gazit Ki Charbecha HeiNafta Aleha VaTichalilehah”. “And if you make for Me an altar of stones, do not build it of hewn stones; for by wielding your tool upon them you have profaned them” (Shemot 20:25). Why does Hashem give us a command to not use a sword to make a Mizbeach? What’s the problem with it?
The Ramban explains that the Cherev, a sword, has tremendous harmful power. A Cherev is the representation of Esav, as the Pasuk says: “V’Al Charbecha Tichyeh" (BeReishit 27:40). He also notes that the Cherev is a destroyer of the world, as bloodshed and death come from it. He expounds that this is the reason that there was no iron in the Mishkan, as this is what swords were made of. So why would we bring such a dangerous and destructive item into HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s home, where you are offering Korbanot! We wouldn’t bring Esav or a destructive item to help make a home, so too, neither would we bring the representation of Esav to build a Mizbeach!
A powerful lesson can be learned from this Ramban. Within each of us is a home of Hashem. We all have a Neshama, which is a piece of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, instilled within us. So why would we bring destructive forces into our house of Hashem? Why would we put bad influences around us, destroying our part of Hashem? We must all be very careful about who we spend time with. We must ask ourselves before developing a friendship - will this person destroy my house of Hashem, or will this person help build it up.