Don’t let the light burn out

For Shabbat, March 7, 2020

Parasha Tetzaveh – Zachor

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Mantell

SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha opens with very clear instructions on how to create and maintain the ner tamida light much like the chanukiyah, not to be used for any practical purpose but rather to amplify our connection to HashemIndeed, the Talmud Bavli in Masechet Shabbat (22b), tells us the ner tamid is a symbol of Hashem’s presence and that the flame of Torah, our deepest values, are similarly eternal. And you shall command the children of Israel, and they shall take to you pure olive oil, crushed for lighting, to kindle the lamps continually. In the Tent of Meeting, outside the dividing curtain that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall set it up before the Lord…”(Exodus 27:20-21).

This is a reminder that each of us is commanded to create and use the ner tamid to help us better see Hashem’s constant presence in our own lives and in the world around us. Where do we learn this from? The parasha begins with “atah Tetzaveh,” the singular form of the second person pronoun, “you,” which Sforno teaches means that each of us is personally obligated to build this light just as Moshe was commanded to do this mitzvah without delegating it. The ner tamid, the Itturei Torah also tells us, is a personal light, one that we each must continuously light within our own heart, to constantly use to bring light to the world. The midrash in Sh’mot Rabbah, assures us that just as one flame does not die when it lights another, so too the ner tamid within us will never burn out. Our job is to keep this candle lit brightly, all of the time.

Every generation faces darknessThis week’s haftorah that we read before next week’s holiday of Purim, informs us of Hashem’s command to Shaul Hamelech to annihilate Amalek. Zachor Et Asher Asah Lecha Amalek BaDerechBetzetchem MiMitzrayim, “Remember what Amalek did to you on your way out of Egypt (Devarim 25).

From growing anti-Semitism, political unrest, media negativity, this Shabbat, Zachor, reminds us that like now, there is always a Haman Amelekite ominous peril we face. The light of the eternal ner tamid that we each carry within us says, “I am now defenseless, helpless.” The light responds, “I will turn your situation around. Trust Me.” 

We often ask at times of distress, “God, where are You?” In fact, it’s the other way around. God is asking us, “Where are you?” The ner tamidour personal light, can help us find continued emunah and bitachon, faith and trust, to continue kindling the light, even in the darkest, most sinister of times that Zachor tells us to always remember. Just as we never let the ner tamid burn out, we never let our memory of Amalek dissipate. Verbalizing, expressing and always articulating the story of Amalek helps prevent us from forgetting Amalek. Both the ner tamid and the mitzvah of not forgetting Amalek are eternal.

Rabbi Berel Wein tells us, “The Torah emphatically warns us lo tichbeh – do not allow that fire to be extinguished. Study, Torah education, observance, moral behavior, and an optimistic view are all the means to preserve this fire and not allow it to be extinguished. In a world that contains vast patches of darkness and despair, the crouching lion flame of Jewish tradition lights our way towards a better future and a more meaningful present.”

*
Michael Mantell, Ph.D writes a d’var Torah each week for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family worship.