Even the greats can be forgotten. The Holy Temple had a variety of iconic items. Among them, the Holy Ark and Menorah. All are recorded together except one - the Golden Altar. The Torah deliberately lists this item alone after the description of all the priestly vestments. Why was the Golden Altar listed separately following a list of clothing items?
The Golden Altar was literally the most central item in the Temple. It was positioned between the Menorah to the south and the Showbread Table to the north. The light of the Menorah represented the power of the spirit while the Showbread symbolized physical blessing. The Golden Altar was placed between them both to symbolize the bridge we need to forge between the realm of the spirit the physical. It is no coincidence ethat it was used to create a cloud of incense which hovers between heaven and earth.
The only creation in the cosmos with the ability to synthesize heaven and earth is man.
The Golden Altar follows the description of the Priestly vestments to emphasize that only through the acts of man can we achieve this harmony.
The Priests were "cloud-makers" finding harmony in all realms of creation. May we merit to be cloud makers as well.
