Parshat Tzav - Purim 5779
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha (Chapter 6, Pasuk 6), Eish Tamid Tukad al HaMizbeach, Lo Sichbeh. A constant fire should be lit on the Mizbeach, do not extinguish it. Even though there was a Divine fire descending from the heavens, Bnei Yisrael had an obligation to maintain a fire constantly on the Mizbeach. What is the significance of this obligation to constantly maintain a fire on the Mizbeach?
Fire is something which has two functions. One is to give light and warmth, and another is to consume and destroy. We find both of these functions of fire applicable to us on the day of Purim. On Purim, we have an obligation of Matanos L'Evyonim, giving charity to those who are in need. And we also have the mitzvah of Mishloach Manos, sending gifts of food. The point of giving Mishloach Manos, as explained by the Chasam Sofer (Shu"T, O"CH, S 196), is twofold; to provide the recipient with food for the Purim Seudah and to create closeness and friendship among people through the giving of food portions. Either way, just as fire warms and brings light, our obligation on Purim is to create a sense of closeness and warmth among people.
And the analogy of fire is a very apt one. This process of bringing people close through gifts must be sincere and real; not to impress others and bring honor to ourselves. It must be done with a passion and a drive, just as all mitzvos must be done in a sincere, heartfelt manner.
This is mirrored by the obligation to keep a fire going on the Mizbeach. Though there is a heavenly fire we must still provide our own. This expresses that same notion that our Avodas Hashem must be done with a passion; we need to be excited about performing mitzvos. It's not enough that Hashem sends down a fire indicating His desire for our mitzvos. We must respond in kind, and serve Hashem with full devotion and dedication. We must perform mitzvos with a bren, whether Bein Adam La'Makom as in the Mishkan, or Bein Adam Le'Chaveiro as on Purim.
But there is another side to Purim as well. On Purim we read about Haman and his attempt to wipe out the Jewish people. The Shabbos before we perform the mitzvah of remembering what Amalek did to us and that we need to eradicate them. This mitzvah and aspect of Purim suggests the aspect of fire which consumes and destroys. Just as we are obligated to come close to Hashem and His people, we are similarly obligated to destroy that which is evil and keeps us from achieving this closeness.
Rashi teaches on our pasuk a connection between the Eish Tamid on the Mizbeach and the Ner Tamid of the Menorah. He explains that the Menorah in the Mishkan was lit from the Eish Tamid of the Mizbeach. The Sfas Emes teaches that we see from here that the Eish Ha'Meir is lit from the Eish HaSoref of the Mizbeach. These two aspects of fire come together by the lighting of the Menorah.
The Chidushei HaRim teaches, however, a very significant point. Even though typically with positive and negative commands we follow the principle of the pasuk in Tehillim (Chapter 34, Pasuk 15), Sur Mera V'Asei Tov, first one must remove evil before he can do good, with fire, the fire of warmth comes before the fire of consumption. First one needs to have the fire of closeness and warmth and compassion, and then that intensity leads to the effort to remove all that stands in our way to reach closeness with Hashem and our fellow Jew. But we can't have the fire of destroying evil before we attain the level of the fire of intense closeness and warmth.
Good Shabbos and Purim Sameach
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