The Eternal Flame of Creativity

Parshas Tetzaveh

Posted on March 5, 2020 (5780) By Rabbi Berel Wein | Series: Rabbi Wein | Level: Beginner

The Torah reading of this week establishes for us the commandment of having an eternal flame burn in the Mishkan and later in the Temple in Jerusalem as well. This commandment is repeated regarding the Alter in the Mishkan and in the Temple where an eternal flame was also to be present on the Alter of sacrifices. The concept and symbol of an eternal flame has been repeated throughout Jewish history and is found to be present in all Jewish synagogues throughout the world and throughout the ages.

 

I have often wondered as to the significance of a flame of fire somehow representing eternity. I think that this has to do with the fact that the Torah instructs us to imitate our Creator to the extent that is humanly possible. The first creation of G-d, so to speak, was light, energy, fire if you will. The first invention of man according to Midrash was at the conclusion of the Sabbath when human beings first learned how to create fire. It is the origin of our custom in the Havdala service to have a fire lit, over which we bless G-d for allowing us to create this most necessary of all human inventions.

Fire is a double -edged sword. It warms and lights and it damages and destroys. Like all human inventions, especially those of our modern world over the past century, the use of all inventions contains ambivalence. The invention can be used for great and good things and it also can destroy all that has been accomplished.

 

Fire therefore represents the human capacity for good and for evil. The Torah teaches us that this capacity is an eternal one and that the challenge of having good triumph over evil never disappears. Good provides eternal energy and drives the engine of morality and holiness. Evil also contributes to the advancement of civilization though it must always be controlled and dominated by the good sense of morality that is innate within us.

 

Most advancements in medicine have occurred through discoveries made in trying to heal the wounds of war and violence and the prevention of the spread of plagues and epidemics. In effect, the fire of creativity that is the hallmark of human beings, from infancy onwards, is an eternal gift that the Lord has bestowed upon us. This is perhaps part of the symbolism of the eternal flame described in this week’s Torah reading.

 

Our sense of creativity is symbolized by the eternal flame that burns in our houses of worship. But that flame also burns deep within the soul of human beings. It is that internal flame that can and should be converted to an eternal flame by good deeds, moral values, and good intentions. Human beings require symbols to actuate noble values and ideas. All the symbols that appear in the Mishkan come to reinforce the value system that the Torah teaches us. An eternal flame represents much more than the burning wick of a candle.

 

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Berel Wein

 

A Deeply Personal Way

Parshas Tetzaveh

Posted on February 11, 2022 (5782) By Rabbi Label Lam | Series: Dvar Torah | Level: Beginner

You shall place the Urim and the Tumim into the Choshen of judgment so that they will be over Aaron’s heart when he comes before HASHEM, and Aaron will carry the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before HASHEM at all times. (Shemos 28:30) the judgment of the children of Israel: [I.e., the solution of] the matter about which they [the Israelites] are judging and debating, whether or not to do something – Rashi

 

The Urim v’ Tumim was some kind of mystical instrument for determining or divining truth. Stones and letters would light up and a Kohen with Ruach HaKodesh would be able to discern the message while the pedestrian- layman who stood by would remain clueless.

 

Where has this device disappeared to. We could all use a little Divine guidance?

 

The Piaseczno Rebbe, Rabbi Klonimus Kalman Shapiro wrote in Sefer Derech HaMelech that we may still have this type of Heavenly help even nowadays. He claims that we may still have access to prophecy even though we have been a non-profit organization for the past 2400 years.

 

He writes: “There is a type of prophetic knowledge that comes when one looks in a holy book. Not knowledge of the future, for that ceased when the Temple was destroyed. Rather, it is a call to the service of G-d and the holiness of Israel.

 

At times, we have all experienced looking into a holy book and suddenly becoming extremely moved by a certain idea. A word pierces our heart and gives us no rest for years, until it can transform us into a different person, and sanctify and uplift us.

 

What is going on? We have already heard this idea from others, and seen it in books, yet we remained untouched. Yet now, the matter suddenly penetrates our heart and mind. This is a form of the Urim v’ Tumim. (the breast plate worn by the High Priest) There too, all the letters were written, yet only some of them would shine in the eyes of the Kohen; and only a Kohen with Divine Inspiration. Another Kohen would stand by him and not see a thing.”

 

Isn’t it amazing! We all come to Shul on Shabbos and review the same Parsha and yet every person finds different points that catch their attention. If I would give 50 different people a Sefer Tehillim and ask them to highlight one Possuk each week that speaks to them, one that jazzes their soul, what is the likelihood that any two would have the exact same 50 verses highlighted!? That’s a rhetorical question. Way beyond highly improbable!

 

All throughout Mishlei Shlomo HaMelech writes in the persona of the Torah, “Listen My son…”. Not only do we learn Torah as an intellectual exercise or a scholarly discipline but at the same time we are shopping for truth. Again, Shlomo HaMelech writes, “The Truth, acquire it but don’t sell it!” We are on a buying mission. Many people walk through a store but everybody zeroes on what suits them best.

 

The main questions are, “What is the Torah teaching us and what is HASHEM saying to me?” You can hear it in the writings of the Chofetz Chaim. You can almost feel the warmth of a Rebbe and smell the sweet breath of a father whispering to his child. He is talking to us. We are not just “learning up” his books, but rather we are absorbong his loving advice. The Torah is talking to each of us in an intimate and a deeply personal way.