Komentarz do Wyjścia 20:22

ואם מזבח אבנים AND IF (according to Rashi, AND WHEN) [THOU WILT MAKE ME] AN ALTAR OF STONES — Rabbi Ishmael said: Every time the word אם it used in the Torah it refer to some action the doing of which is optional, except in three instances. Here: ואם מזבח אבנים תעשה לי — you see that this אם is used in the sense of כאשר, “when”, the meaning being: “And when thou makest me an altar of stone, לא תבנה אתהן גזית THOU SHALT NOT BUILD IT OF HEWN STONE, for, as a matter of fact, it is obligatory upon thee to build an altar of stone, as it is said, (Deuteronomy 27:6) “of whole stones thou shalt build [the altar of the Lord thy God]”. Similarly, (Exodus 22:24) אם כסף תלוה את עמי is obligatory and signifies: “when (אם) thou lendest My people money”, and not, “if thou lendest”, because it is said, (Deuteronomy 15:8) “And thou shalt surely lend him”; consequently this אם also is used in the sense of כאשר “when”. Similarly, (Leviticus 2:14) ואם תקריב מנחת בכורים, for this refers to the meal-offering of the Omer which is obligatory and therefore the trantlation is, “And when (ואם) thou offerest the meal-offering of first-fruits”, and not, “if thou offerest”. You must therefore admit that these instances of אם are not conditional, meaning “if”, but they are absolute, and that they are used in the sense of כאשר, “when” (Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael 20:22:1; Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 306; cf. Rashi on Leviticus 2:14).

AND IF THOU MAKE ME AN ALTAR OF STONE. The meaning of the word v’im (and if) in an obligatory commandment⁵⁷⁹Since it is obligatory upon us to build an altar of stone in the Sanctuary, the question arises: Why does the Torah here use the word v’im (and if)? Ramban proceeds to answer this question. is: If the time comes that you will be worthy to inherit the Land and to build Me an altar of stone, beware that thou shalt not build it of hewn stones, for you may think to make it so to enhance the beauty of the structure. In his commentaries,⁵⁸⁰Further, 24:4. Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra’s opinion is that [the verse here refers] to the altar of the covenant [mentioned] in the section of V’eileh Hamishpatim.⁵⁸¹Ibid. The sense of the expression, ‘and if’ thou make Me an altar of stone is thus as follows: “Make Me now an altar of earth, and if you will merit it, then you shall make Me an altar of stone for the altar of the covenant.” See Ibn Ezra here.
By way of the Truth, [the mystic lore of the Cabala], the verses are in methodical arrangement: “Ye yourselves have seen that from heaven I have talked with you with My Great Name, and ye shall not make before My face gods of silver, or of gold. But I permit you to make an altar to Me alone and to sacrifice thereon burnt-offerings, and also peace-offerings, in every place where I cause My Name to be mentioned for I will come unto thee and bless thee — with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that coucheth beneath.”⁵⁸²Genesis 49:25. The word azkir (I will cause it to be mentioned) is associated with the expression: He hath been mindful of us, He will bless.⁵⁸³Psalms 115:12.

לא תבנה אתהן גזית, in order to make it look more impressive.