The Earthen Altar Read as the Blood of Circumcision

"You shall not make [gods] with Me." Not in the likeness of the sun, nor the form of the orb, nor the form of the moon. Another interpretation: "You shall not make with Me" any image whatsoever, as it is written, "And to whom will you liken Me" and so on (Isaiah 40:25), but rather "an altar of earth (adamah) you shall make for Me." Another interpretation: "an altar of earth," and so on. Do not read it "an altar of earth (adamah)," but rather "an altar of the blood (dam) of circumcision." For today Israel is in their exiles, and anyone to whom the Holy One, blessed be He, gives a son and who circumcises him on the eighth day, it is as if he built an altar to the Lord and offered up upon it a burnt offering. Therefore it is said, "an altar of earth." Another interpretation: "altar" (mizbe'ach): Mem stands for milah (circumcision); Zayin for "Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac (and Israel) [and Jacob]" (Deuteronomy 9:27); Bet for berakhah (blessing); Chet for chayyim (life). And the altar must be built so that one does not wield iron upon it, for the Holy One, blessed be He, said: Let not the sword that slays human beings be wielded upon the altar that atones for the iniquities of Israel.