Something's different! This week marks the fifth installment of a new, experimental initiative: the Dvar Tzedek Text Study. Periodically over the next several months, our weekly Torah commentary will take this interactive format. We hope that you'll use our text studies to actively engage with the parshah and contemporary global justice issues.
Parshat Tzav continues the detailed instructions about the Israelite sacrificial rituals, which began last week in Parshat Vayikra. As the parshah opens, we are told that the priests must keep the fire for the burnt offering perpetually burning on the altar.
And God spoke to Moses, saying: "Command Aaron and his sons, saying: This is the ritual of the burnt-offering: The burnt offering itself shall remain where it is burned upon the altar all night until morning, while the fire on the altar is kept going on it. . .
Why do you think the fire must be kept burning at all times, rather than only being lit when it is being used for sacrifice?
Why does God repeat this commandment so many times?
. . . The Baal Shem Tov taught that there must always be a point of [fiery] enthusiasm in our hearts. This is the meaning of the phrase "A perpetual fire shall be kept burning." The altar symbolizes the heart [and the fire is our enthusiasm].
Looking at the biblical text through the Sefat Emet's lens, this commandment gives us an opportunity to reflect on how to best keep our own fires—our passion for the pursuit of justice—burning.
What are the benefits and challenges of keeping your passion for justice burning at all times, rather than kindling it as needed?
Since the wood is fed to the fire only in the morning, the sacrificial flames would have been at different levels throughout the day—starting off the morning with a high blaze and ending the night with glowing coals. In your life, when are the times when your fervor for justice is at a high level? When is it at baseline?
Who are the people—like the priest who feeds the fire each morning—who help you keep your commitment to justice high?
When our enthusiasm [toward our service] is correct, then any "distracting thought" [of fatigue or disinterest] that arises in our hearts will automatically be consumed in heat of the heart, like wax before a flame. When this distracting thought is burned in the heart, a new light will arise there. This is why "upon the altar all night" is followed by "in the morning the priest shall feed wood to it" [new energy follows the darkness of doubt]. . . . . And through the burning of distracting thoughts there is renewal of energy in the morning. . . Nevertheless, it is still up to us to apply effort to bring this about.
The Sefat Emet states that the fire, which symbolizes the enthusiasm in our hearts, burns perpetually because of "the promise of perpetuity." What do you think this statement means? How do you relate to this idea?
How does the Sefat Emet understand the role of distraction, doubt or fatigue? How do you find energy to continue to pursue justice when you experience these emotions?
The Sefat Emet writes that while the "burning" of our "distracting thoughts" will automatically bring "a renewal of energy," "nevertheless, it is still up to us to apply effort to bring this about." What ideas or experiences automatically fuel your fire? What intentional actions can you take to seek out this fuel?
Working for justice can be a daunting proposition. That is why it is so crucial for us to invest time in examining what we can do to keep our fires—of passion, energy, and commitment—burning, and to seek out the people and resources that keep us excited and primed for action. Through engaging in this process, may we, like the sacrificial fires, be perpetually poised in readiness to be called upon for holy work.