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Parsha Ponderings – Tzav

ASPIRE, NEVER TIRE,

AND YOU’RE SURE TO CATCH FIRE

זאת תורת העלה היא העולה על מוקדה על המזבח כל הלילה עד הבקר ואש המזבח תוקד בו

This is the matter of the elevation-offering; it is the elevation-offering [which stays] on the flame upon the altar the entire night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall burn in it.

In presenting the process by which the elevation-offering is consumed upon the altar, the verse seems to twist itself into a literary pretzel for no readily apparent reason. Rather than simply stating that “the elevation-offering shall burn upon the flame of the altar the entire night until morning”, the Torah states that “it is the elevation-offering [which stays] on the flame upon the altar the entire night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall burn in it”. Which, apart from being long-winded, practically begs the question: Isn’t it obvious that “the fire of the altar shall burn in it”, if it is to stay “on the flame upon the altar the entire night until morning”?

While much remains to be explained when it comes to our verse’s literal meaning, a homiletical rendering can provide both coherence and profundity where perplexity once reigned. (Now how’s that for a literary pretzel? Sorry, gotta get rid of my chometz….)

The elevation-offering, it has been suggested, alludes to the individual who seeks to rise above the common life and draw nearer to his God. He sees from afar a spiritual light, and intuits that by pursuing that light and enveloping himself in its holy flames, he will experience an uplift that will set his soul on fire. And thus, we are all, to one degree or another, that elevation-offering.

Or at least we seek to be.

After all, who among us has not experienced that drive to connect, to climb higher, to catch that spark of closeness to God?

And yet, which one of us has not felt that bitter taste of failure? Who cannot tell of their climb up the ramp of that personal altar, upon which they sought to offer self-sacrifice in the hopes of kindling the flame of God within their own soul, only to find their obstinate heart as coldly uninspired as before?

Where does it all go wrong? Why does the fire of passion repeatedly fail to ignite?

“This is the matter of the elevation-offering”, says the Torah.

This is how it works.

“It is the elevation-offering which stays on the flame upon the altar the entire night until morning”.

That, and only that, is the elevation-offering which will eventually have “the fire of the altar burn in it”.

One who steps into the flames, fails to catch fire, and immediately despairs, will never catch fire indeed. Only he who remains upon the altar all night- staying on the flame throughout the dark night even as it burns him more than it fires him up and tenaciously sticking it out until dawn breaks and his candle finally lights,- will truly experiences elevation. It is only to one who continues to sacrifice even as the passion fades and the uplift remains elusive, will that uplift eventually come.

It is not enough to seek inspiration.

If you want the inspiration, you need the perspiration.

So don’t throw in the towel.

Wipe your brow with it instead.

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