In his commentary on Tzav in Voices of Torah (CCAR 2012), an anthology of Torah commentaries by Reform rabbis, Rabbi Kenneth Weiss asks whether the “perpetual fire” mentioned in Tzav (Lev 6:6) is the same as the fire that ignited the burning bush in Exodus. Could it be that Moses “preserved” that Divine fire that did not consume the bush “for the altar of the desert Mishkan (Tabernacle)?” Such a fire also burned in the Temple in Jerusalem and in our synagogues today. Weiss adds this thought: That every Jew has a responsibility to keep that same fire burning within. What can each of us do to keep the fire of Divine Presence and the spark of Jewish identity glowing inside of us?
Perhaps we can draw inspiration from others who infuse their lives with Jewish learning and practice. One such example will come our way at Beth Hillel this Shabbat, when adult siblings, Judith Warren and Alan Goodman, celebrate their B'nai Mitzvah. A passion for Jewish learning has been burning within them for several years as they prepared for this day. It will surely be an evening for each of us to catch the spark of God’s presence for our own Jewish souls. Mazal Tov Judy and Al!
-Rabbi Dena A. Feingold