We were preparing to bring out the cake at my youngest son’s fourth birthday party. The candles were ready, the kids were all looking over… the only thing left to do was to turn off the lights. But, when I went to the switch, there was a big sign reading: “Do not turn off the lights, repeat do not turn off the lights.” While there was no explanation, in inspecting the overhead fluorescents the reason was obvious, if the lights were turned off they take a while to go back on. In comparing this with a verse from this week’s Torah portion, Tzav, Leviticus chapter six, verse six, “a permanent fire shall remain aflame on the Altar, it shall not be extinguished,” I suddenly had an aha moment. This eish tamid or what is also called a ner tamid, perpetual fire, is not only making sure God’s presence is always in the tabernacle, but more about ensuring there was always a starter light to start the sacrificial fires.
In every synagogue, in every country, there is always a light bulb hanging in memory of this old altar rule. We call it by the same name it is known biblically, a Ner Tamid. At CSS we actually have two of them, one in the open area from Temple Sinai, and one in the sanctuary from Temple Beth Am. It means that even if all the lights are off in either of these two rooms, there is always light emanating from our Ner Tamids. Just like at my son’s birthday party venue, while not written down, each comes with a definitive message: “do not turn off the lights, repeat do not turn off the lights.” They are our emergency flames, making sure that if all else fails, we have the tools necessary to run our services. It is important that we protect our fail safes, the items in our lives that can keep us going even in the event of an emergency. There is a reason why the language of the Torah is so strong – we need to protect the most basic of our basic resources, not only because fire was hard to light in the ancient world, but to keep us in practice of being prepared for all eventualities. In this season of preparing, as we prepare for Shabbat tonight and Passover this coming Monday, check on your own perpetual fires, keep them going, you never know when you will need to turn to them.
Shabbat Shalom and an early Chag Pesach Sameach, wishing you a restful Shabbat and a zissen, joyful Passover,
Rabbi Alex
Last Updated on 04/09/2017 by wpadm