This Week’s Torah Portion: T’tzaveh – תְּצַוֶּה (Exodus 27:20−30:10)

Whose job is it to keep the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light, burning? In ancient times, the responsibility for kindling the Ner Tamid belonged to the priests alone. Each night the seven branched menorah was kindled and the flames were tended from evening until morning, as an Eternal covenant between God and the Children of Israel.

Whose job is it to keep the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light, burning in our age of electrical power, backup batteries, and LED lamps – when no one will need to tend its flames for a decade of light and more? There is more to the Ner Tamid than the light it continually casts forth. It is a symbol of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.

Whose job is it to keep the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light, burning? It is your job, it is my job, this job belongs to us all.