Negative Commandment 79 (Digest)
Building the Altar with Stones Touched by Iron
"You shall not build it of hewn stones, for your sword [you have lifted upon it...]"—Exodus 20:22.
It is forbidden to construct the Temple Altar of stones that have been touched by iron. If, indeed, the altar was constructed of such stones, it is invalid for sacrificial use.
The 79th prohibition is that we are forbidden from constructing an altar from stones that have come in contact with metal.
The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "[When you build a stone altar for Me,] do not build it out of cut stone. Because your sword was lifted against it, [you have profaned it]."
If one builds an altar from such stones it is invalid and offerings may not be brought on it.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in the third chapter of tractate Middos.
Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by
Sichos in English.
Negative Commandment 80 (Digest)
Ascending the Altar via Steps
"You shall not go up by steps to My altar"—Exodus 20:23.
We are forbidden from ascending the Temple Altar with stairs, in order to avoid taking broad steps when going up. Rather, one should walk up the altar on a ramp, going "heel to toe" (i.e., using small, humble steps).
The 80th prohibition is that we are forbidden from ascending an altar which has stairs, in order to avoid taking broad steps when going up. One should rather walk "heel to toe."
The source of this mitzvah is G‑d's statement (exalted be He), "Do not climb My altar with steps [so that your nakedness not be revealed on it]."
The Mechilta says, "What is the meaning of the phrase, 'so that your nakedness not be revealed on it'? It means that when one walks up to the altar, he should not take broad steps but walk 'heel to toe.' "
The form of the ramp and how it is built is explained in the third chapter of tractate Middos.
The punishment for taking broad steps — to the extent of revealing one's nakedness — when walking up the altar is lashes.
Rabbi Berel Bell is a well-known educator, author and lecturer. He and his family reside in Montreal, Canada.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by
Sichos in English.
Translation of (the unabridged text of) Sefer Hamitzvot by Rabbi Berel Bell, member of the Rabbinical Court of Montreal and director of Teacher Training for the Jewish Learning Institute.
From "Sefer Hamitzvot in English," published by
Sichos in English.
