במדבר, פרק ד׳, פסוק י״ג

Preparing the sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle for the Israelites' journeys through the desert required immense care and specific procedures. When it came time to pack the outer copper altar, since the inner golden altar had already been prepared [רש"י, מזרחי וגור אריה], a unique process was set in motion.

The first step involved tending to the altar's surface. The primary approach among commentators is that this required a thorough cleaning, removing the accumulated, greasy ashes [רש"י, אבן עזרא, שטיינזלץ ומזרחי]. However, another perspective suggests that the Commandment to maintain a perpetual fire applied even while traveling. According to this view, rather than clearing the altar, the priests actually added rich, combustible materials to preserve the flame throughout the journey [תורה תמימה ומלבי"ם בשם רבי יהודה].

Following this preparation, a red-purple wool cloth was spread over the altar [שטיינזלץ]. The idea of a burning fire during transport raises a practical question regarding how the cloth avoided catching fire. To protect the fabric, a large copper vessel was placed directly over the flames, and the purple cloth was draped safely on top of it [רש"י, שפתי חכמים ומזרחי]. This was made possible by the miraculous nature of the heavenly fire that rested on the altar. Described as crouching like a lion, this fire defied nature. Even as the Tabernacle was carried over bumpy desert terrain, the flames did not leap or spread. Instead, the fire remained firmly anchored and crouched in its place, allowing it to be safely contained under the copper vessel [גור אריה].

Interestingly, the distinct, lion-like shape of this heavenly fire was only clearly visible during these journeys. While the Israelites were encamped, the divine flame was mixed with the ordinary fire of the wood pile. Only when the regular wood and fire were cleared away for travel did the heavenly fire stand alone in its pure form [שפתי חכמים ומזרחי]. Symbolically, the image of the lion represents the intense holiness and strong connection that characterized the Tabernacle and the First Temple, a merit attributed to Abraham. This contrasts with the Second Temple, where the heavenly fire was compared to a dog, reflecting a lower level of holiness and devotion [גור אריה].

The exact way the cloth was arranged depended on the physical state of the altar during transport. If the altar traveled filled with earth, the cloth was simply spread over the top. If it was transported hollow, the cloth and the various altar vessels were tucked inside its empty space [מלבי"ם]. Finally, the choice of color for this covering is highly significant. While the other vessels in the Tabernacle were wrapped in blue cloth, the copper altar was specifically covered in purple. Purple has long been recognized as the clothing of kings and the wealthy. Its use here highlights the core essence of the outer altar: it served as the ultimate source from which a wealth of blessing, livelihood, and riches flowed into the world [העמק דבר].