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Tzav
Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36
Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23

The Kohanim (priests) were commanded to keep the fire on the Mizbeach (altar)

of the Temple burning continuously, providing a lesson for us concerning consistency.

There were, in fact, two separate flames in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). One, the ner tamid, was a flickering light that burned continuously on the golden menorah. The other, the aish tamid, was a powerful fire that gave off warmth and burned non-stop on the Mizbeach.

It is significant to note that both of these flames were ordered to be kept burning continuously. It has been observed that each of us has within our souls a Divine spark that can warm us only if we succeed in keeping it burning continuously. This can be achieved by learning and living Torah with the warmth and enthusiasm suggested by the fire on the Mizbeach.

We are required to demonstrate great ardor in all that we do in worshipping and serving our Creator. We must, however, avoid becoming "hot-headed, overly zealous, or even arrogant. To this end we have been given the wonderful example of the flickering ner tamid. This was not a particularly impressive or powerful flame, but a somewhat modest quivering light. So we must always remember that humility is of the essence. Arrogance can snuff out the fragile flame we bring into the world.

The critical lesson we must always recall is the continuous nature of the fires that burned in the Mishkan. We are obligated to behave according to G-d's will and to stay consistent in our faith, displaying both exuberance (as the aish tamid) and modesty (as the ner tamid). We cannot give an august demonstration of religious fervor one day and an anemic version the next. We cannot fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah only when we are in the right state of mind, but under all conditions. We cannot attend synagogue only on Yom Kippur, but we must be frequent attendees. Our religious observance must imitate the flames of the Mishkan, burning at all times.

The famous 18th century Dubno Maggid of Poland, who was known for his incomparable parables, emphasized the need for consistency. It would appear that the phenomenon of the "three-day-a-year" Jew is not a recent contrivance. The Dubno Maggid observed with consternation that many Jews attended his shul only on the High Holy Days, disappearing during the rest of the year. In an attempt to rectify this, he recounted the following story:

A storekeeper arrived for work one day to find his warehouses going up in flames, ruining all of his possessions. Not only was he penniless, but he now had a large debt. All of his merchandise had been acquired on credit.

In desperation, he approached his manufacturer to relate his tale of woe. The manufacturer took pity on him and agreed not only to refrain from demanding payment, but also to give the storekeeper some more merchandise on credit. The shopkeeper could be back in business and ultimately repay the loan.

Word spread quickly about the generosity of the manufacturer. Soon another man arrived at the manufacturer's door, entreating him for money. "How dare you!" said the manufacturer. "You don't deserve a penny, so leave!"

"But you gave the shopkeeper all that credit," replied the man. "Why did you help him but not me?"

"How can you possibly compare yourself to him?" asked the manufacturer. "I've known him for years and have done thousands of dollars' worth of business with him. I know him well and I can trust him. He has always paid me back on time in the past. Therefore, when something tragic happened to him, I gave him credit and the benefit of the doubt. In your case, I don't know you at all. If I lend you money, how do I know that I'll ever see you again, or that you will ever pay me back?"

"This," says the Dubno Maggid, "is the plight of the Jew who is inconsistent in his religious observance as opposed to one who is constantly faithful. The person who has a high credit rating with the Almighty through his regular synagogue attendance and performance of mitzvot will be given the benefit of the doubt during times of need. But the person who is a stranger to G-d may, unfortunately, fail to receive His favor when it is required.

Shabbat shalom and happy Purim.




Rabbi Pinchas Lipner is dean of the Hebrew Academy in San Francisco.

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