Parashat: Tzav

Parashat: Tzav
Leviticus 6:1–8:36

“A perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar, not to go out.”

— Leviticus 6:6

In this week’s Torah portion, God continues to describe to Moses the various laws of sacrifices, and Moses assembles the community to witness the anointing of the priests and dedication of the Tabernacle. When describing the ritual of the burnt offering, God instructs the priests to keep a fire perpetually burning on the altar. Rashi understands this to mean that the fire should be tended even on Shabbat. Thirteenth century commentator Chizkuni teaches that it meant that the Israelites needed to take care that the fire was protected from the elements during their journey. Chassidic tradition instructs us to find a personal teaching in this verse — that we all have a Divine fire within us that requires tending in order to ensure it continues to burn bright.

— Rachel Petroff Kessler