February 27, 2010 | 13 Adar 5770

One of the most ubiquitous items found in synagogues all over the world is the Ner Tamid, eternal light.  Of all the objects that adorn Jewish sanctuaries none evokes more concern than this small, light fixture that hangs up towards the ceiling.  If the light appears to be out, people are very quick to let us know.  The doors of the Aaron kodesh, the Holy Ark, are scuffed and worn by years of use and slamming into nearby chairs but nobody offers to touch them up.  The remonim, silver crowns adorning the Torah scrolls are dented by clumsy hands dropping them but very few of us notice.  However, a blown out 20 watt light bulb gets everybody into a frenzy.  The constant illumination of the Ner Tamid is such serious business, that the circuit breaker, found in the fuse box which is allocated for the sole purpose of powering this negligent amount of electrical current has a metal screw driven through it’s handle to ensure that nobody switches it off.  These are extreme measures for such a small source of light. Why do so many people take the Ner Tamid so personally? 

This week’s parsha, Tetzaveh, offers an answer to this question.  God commands Moses:

You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly.  (Exodus 27:20)

This is the source of our glowing fixture that hovers above the Aaron Kodesh.  Strikingly, it is absent of reason.  Like many of our commandments from God they are ordered without much justification; being from God is clearly reason enough.  In addition, there seems to be a repetition in the wording – Olives for lighting, for kindling lamps – wouldn’t I already know that if the Olives are used for lighting, they would also be for kindling?  In the Hebrew the word for kindling doesn’t only mean to kindle but also to elevate or raise up.  Maybe, our commandment does not contain a repetition… instead it contains two commandments.  One is to Light the flame and another to raise up the lamp.  Is this really speaking about a light fixture or is there something else that the Ner Tamid is reminding us to elevate? 

The book of proverbs teaches us: The soul of man is the light of God.
(Proverbs 20:27)

The Ner Tamid is such serious business because it is not the light that it being elevated, but rather our soul.  Each and every time we enter into a synagogue sanctuary or chapel, we are reminded that what burns within us is the light that beacons God; constantly awaiting His presence in our world.  So it bothers us to see this small glowing fixture extinguished because it reminds of our purpose in coming to synagogue – To elevate our souls and shine our light brightly to direct God toward us.

Shabbat Shalom