1. The Rambam on the Location of the Mizbeach
The Rambam writes that the location of the Mizbeach—altar—is extremely precise and cannot be changed. He emphasizes that it must always remain in exactly that spot, quoting a verse: “This is the Mizbeach for the burnt offering,” indicating its fixed nature. The Rambam further notes that this very spot is where Yitzchak Avinu was bound during the Akeidah—the binding of Yitzchak. Avraham took his son Yitzchak to offer him as a sacrifice to Hashem, believing this was Hashem’s will, and tied him up at this exact location.
2. Scriptural Sources for the Chosen Place
The Rambam supports his point by referencing verses: Hashem told Avraham to go to the land of Meiria, and in Sefer Melachim it states that Shlomo HaMelech built the Beis HaMikdash on Har HaMeiria. Thus, Yitzchak was taken to be bound at the same place where later the Beis HaMikdash would be built. On a superficial reading, it appears from the Rambam that the reason for the importance of this space is because of its historical significance—specifically, because of the Akeidah.
3. The Torah’s Emphasis on Divine Choice
However, when examining the Torah’s language regarding “the place that Hashem will choose”, it seems clear that its significance comes from Hashem’s selection alone. The phrase Asher Yivchar Hashem—that which Hashem will choose—implies that any inherent qualities or past events are not what make it special. Rather, it is special because Hashem chose it. If its importance was due to past events, such as the Akeidah, then there would be no need for this language of choice in the Torah.
4. Reconciling Rambam and Peshat: The Rebbe’s Explanation
The Rebbe addresses this apparent contradiction in Hilchot Beis HaBechirah. He explains that ultimately, the real reason for this location’s sanctity is because Hashem chose it. As proof, he points out that even the verse quoted by Rambam (“Zeh Mizbeach leOlas Yisrael”) was stated only after Hashem had already chosen that place. Thus, first comes Divine choice, and only then do we see these significant events associated with it.
5. Why Mention Historical Events?
According to the Rebbe’s analysis, Rambam mentions all these significant events (the creation of Adam from there, other miracles) not as reasons for choosing the spot but rather as evidence for its permanence. If we only had a verse stating Hashem chose a certain place, one might think perhaps another place could later be chosen instead. However, since so many foundational events occurred there by Divine instruction (such as Avraham binding Yitzchak), it demonstrates that this location is eternally fixed and cannot be changed.
6. The Sequence: Choice Precedes Significance
In truth, says the Rebbe, it works in reverse from what one might assume: Hashem did not choose this place because of what happened there; rather, those events happened there because Hashem had already chosen it as His special place. For example, Avraham was told to bind Yitzchak specifically at that location because Hashem knew He would ultimately select it as His dwelling place. Therefore, these historical events serve as signs confirming its unchangeable status but are not themselves reasons for its selection.
7. Conclusion: Permanence Rooted in Divine Will
From all this we learn that while significant events occurred at the site of the Mizbeach, their purpose was to reinforce its unique status after being chosen by Hashem. The fact that Avraham was sent to bind Yitzchak there shows its eternal designation—if another spot could have been chosen later on, there would have been no need for such precision in sending him there originally. This understanding clarifies both Rambam’s intent and how Chazal view the sanctity and permanence of this holy site.