Tsav (Lev 6:1-8:36)

Fire

            Parasha Tsav continues on the subject of burnt offerings. The first two chapters give instructions for sin and guilt offerings, while chapter 8 details the procedure that Moses followed for the first offering at the Tent of Meeting. Whether for sin, guilt, or peace, burnt offerings need to be burnt, obviously. How to we burn? With fire. It is said in Deuteronomy 4:24 that “The L-rd, your G-d is a consuming fire, an impassioned G-d.” G-d’s love for us is truly an aish tamid (an eternal fire). The fire in the burnt offering reminded our ancestors that our L-rd was never going to turn away. Like wild fire, we Jews have in us a ner tamid (an eternal light) that cannot be hidden and should be used to be an example in this world.