Tzav (Leviticus 6:1−8:36)
This Week’s Torah Portion: Tzav (Leviticus 6:1−8:36)
This week’s portion from the Torah includes the command: “Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually (tamid), it shall not go out.” This is the Biblical origins of our Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light. But, from what we know of the Ner Tamid in Temple times, that “Eternal Light” was kindled again and again every day.
The Ner Tamid is a symbol of God’s Eternal presence among our people and throughout the world. For our ancestors, that meant an Eternal promise, for us it means keeping that light burning always. Keeping that light burning means being partners with God in the kindling of God’s light every day in and every age. How do you bring light to the world each day?