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March 21, 2010
Mekor Chaim
Parashat Tzav
 
 David J. Singer
 
Throughout Jewish life we are inundated with signs, reminders and symbols. Shabbat, tsit tsit and tefilin - to name a few - each focus our minds on particular Jewish ideas and values, reminding us as we pass through life of our place within a people in covenant with God. These signs burn into our consciousness the things we hold most dear. They light the path to Jewish life lived in continual celebration of the Divine.
 
In our Torah reading this week, Parshat Tsav, God commands that “a perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar, not to go out,” (Leviticus 6:6). Day and night the altar’s fire is to remain alit. Whether sacrifices are being offered or not, the flame must still burn, its flames illuminating the Mishkan. Three times, God commands that the fire be kept burning in only four verses of text. The mitzvah’s importance is stressed repeatedly, each time further emphasizing the flame’s eternal nature.
 
In its eternal burning, this flame exists as a reminder at the center of the Mishkan. It serves as an ever-present symbol of God’s presence, and Israel’s system of service to the Eternal. 

Do not be surprised by the need for a reminder of God’s presence even within the Mishkan. After all, in Masekhet Rosh HaShanah (31a) the rabbis tell the story of God, frustrated that His presence is no longer recognized within the Temple, withdrawing the Shekhinah from its earthly home entirely. The Shekhinah slowly removes Herself from the Temple, hoping that the people Israel will recognize God’s absence from amongst them. They do not. And so God’s presence withdraws to the wilderness, never to return.
 
Even in God’s physical abodes, we can so easily find ourselves ignoring God. All the more so in our mundane world of traffic, appointments and errands. We need reminders to burn into our consciousness the ever present reality of God’s being and God’s covenant with the Jewish people. Our minds are focused through the symbols of our traditon.
 
We are cautioned, “do not let the fire go out.” Let it burn as a reminder to all at all times. God calls upon us to keep the flame alive eternally, to keep the torch of our Mishkan’s altar burning brightly as a reminder to all. And though we are today without a tabernacle, we turn to our rich tradition of rituals and holidays, ideas and ideals, to help us remember our duty to realize God’s presence in this world and, in doing do, making this world a better place.
 
In a few short days, as we join friends a family around the Seder table retelling the story of our Exodus from Egypt, we will remind ourselves of how God saved each of us, with a mighty hand, from slavery and oppression. As we light the holiday candles, may we each help to kindle the flames of redemption, of hope and Godliness. May we be reminded of God’s presence and our covenant, and, in our Pesah celebration, help to realize that flaming presence in our the world.
David Singer is a student at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.

Jewish Federations of North America Rabbinic Cabinet Chair: Rabbi Steven E. Foster
Vice Chair: Rabbi Amy Small
Vice Chair: Rabbi Stuart G. Weinblatt
Vice Chair: Rabbi Larry Kotok 
President: Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer
Honorary Chair: Rabbi Matthew H. Simon

Senior Consultant, Rabbinic Cabinet: Rabbi Gerald Weider

The opinions expressed in Mekor Chaim articles are solely of the author
and do not reflect any official position of Jewish Federations of North America or the Rabbinic Cabinet.

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