TIERRA Y PIEDRA - DOS PARTES DE SERVICIO

בס "ד

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Introduction

This blog is based on a class given by Rabbi Tuvia Serber, drawing on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. It explores the two types of altars in the Torah and how they reflect two paths in serving G-d.

Two Ways of Serving G-d: The Altar of Earth and the Altar of Stone

In Parashat Yitro (Exodus 20:21–22), we read a remarkable command from G-d:

“Make for Me an altar of earth and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause My Name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you. And if you make for Me an altar of stone, do not build it of hewn stones, for by wielding your tool upon them you have profaned them.”

At first glance, these verses seem straightforward: an altar may be built from earth or from stone. Yet Chassidic teaching and the Sages reveals a profound lesson: they represent two paths in serving G-d.

The Altar – Symbol of Elevation

The altar represents elevation. In Temple times, sacrifices would rise in smoke heavenward. Today, without physical sacrifices, the altar symbolizes the way we elevate ourselves, our emotions, words, and deeds, returning them to their Divine source.

Two Altars – Two Ways

1. The Altar of Earth (Mizbeach Adamah)

This altar is a direct command: “Make for Me an altar of earth.”

Man is called Adam because he was formed from adamah (earth), but also because he resembles (adameh) the Divine image. The altar of earth represents serving G-d in the straight, natural way – the way He created us.

This is why the command is unconditional: every person must serve G-d in this way.

• Through the 613 commandments for Jews and the 7 Noahide laws for non-Jews.
• Using permissible things, not tied to impurity or idolatry.
• Through ongoing self-refinement – honesty, kindness, good character.

This is the natural, straightforward way of Divine service.

2. The Altar of Stone (Mizbeach Avonim)

The altar of stone, however, is introduced conditionally: “If you make for Me an altar of stone…”

Why conditional? A stone symbolizes something else entirely. Divine sparks descended even into the lowest levels of creation – even into lifeless stones. When a person stumbles, sins, or even falls into idolatry, he has sunk to that “stone” level.

The altar of stone therefore represents a different kind of service: teshuva – return.

• Regret for the past.
• Resolution not to repeat it.
• Transformation of darkness into light.

This is why the command is not universal, but conditional: it applies only if someone has fallen.

Bricks as Stones – Babel and Egypt

The Torah links this to the generation of the Tower of Babel. They declared:

“Come, let us make bricks and burn them hard.” (Genesis 11:3)

They used bricks in place of stones to build a tower of rebellion and idolatry. In Kabbalah, a stone represents a letter – just as stones build houses, letters build words. The people of Babel misused letters and even the Divine Names for idolatry, lies, and deception.

Later, the generation of Egypt was forced into hard labor with “mortar and bricks.” Chassidic teaching explains that this was a rectification (tikkun) for the sins of Babel.

And our generation? The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that we are a reincarnation of those very generations. Our mission is to repair what they damaged. How? By using our “stones” – our words and letters – not for falsehood or corruption, but for Torah, prayer, truth, and words of kindness.

Two Ways of Serving G-d

• Service as earth
  • Obligatory for all.
  • The natural path: living as G-d created us.
  • Fulfilling mitzvot, refining character, using only permissible means.
• Service as stone
  • Relevant only if one has stumbled.
  • The path of teshuva, return.
  • Turning failure into elevation.

Who Are We – And What Can We Do?

We live in the era called the “heels of Mashiach” – the final generation before Redemption. The Midrash teaches: “Moses is the first redeemer and he is the last” (Shemot Rabbah 2:4). The essence of Moses – Torah itself – is what empowers the final Redemption.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe emphasized that our generation is connected to the generations of Babel and Egypt. This means we carry the unique responsibility and privilege of repairing their sins retroactively:

• By serving G-d with the altar of earth – the natural, straightforward path.
• By serving G-d with the altar of stone – transforming past mistakes through teshuva.
• By using our “stones” – our words and actions – to build a sanctuary for G-d in this world.

Conclusión

The altar teaches us that there are two sacred ways of serving G-d: the natural path of earth, and the transformative path of stone. Both are holy, both elevate the world.

Our task today is to ensure that the “stones” we use – our speech, deeds, and thoughts – are placed in the service of holiness. In doing so, we not only rectify the errors of earlier generations, but we actively prepare the world for the coming of Mashiach – may it be speedily in our days.

This blog accompanies the lesson by Rabbi Tuvia Serber. It is highly recommended to watch the full lesson on YouTube.

With thanks to Rabbi Tuvia Serber for giving the lesson and providing feedback on this blog.

More shiurim of Rabbi Tuvia Serber

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