Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach! Though tonight we are
continuing the festive celebrations of the wonderful holiday of Purim, let’s
not lose track of our Parashat HaShavua, which this week is Tzav. In this Torah
portion, the priests’ duties, rights, and clothing are explained in great
detail. It culminates with Aaron and his sons camping out in the Mishkan
compound for a week for their ordination process.
Among the directions in this parasha is, “There is an eternal
flame on the altar. Do not let it go out.” Of course, this is a literal
direction for the priests. The physical fire must be kept burning for their
sacrifices. However, the metaphor of keeping the fire burning inside your soul
resonates for me with my favorite line in all of the Megillat Esther, when
Mordecai says to Esther, “Do not imagine that you of all Jews will escape with
your life by being in the king’s palace. On the contrary, if you keep silent in
this crisis, relief and deliverance will come from another place, and your name
will be forgotten. And who know, perhaps you have come to be in the position of
royalty for exactly such a time as this.”
Each of us has our moment to shine, the opening at which we find
our gifts, talents, privileges, power positions, connections, etc. are exactly
what is needed to help people we care about, save a situation from disaster,
boost up an issue we are concerned about. We must keep the fires of our
passions burning so that we have the momentum, the awareness, of that moment
when it is our turn to swoop in and save the day. May each of your find
yourself with the burning fire of holy purpose to offer the sacrifice of your
time and help those in need at just such a time as this. Amen, Shabbat Shalom,
and Chag Purim Sameach.
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