THIS WEEK'S TORAH READING:
Tetzaveh : Exodus 27: 20 - 30:10
The parasha continues the descriptions concerning the religious objects the Israelites are to assemble in the desert. After finishing the instructions for the menorah, the Torah proceeds to describe in detail the garments and jewelry to be worn by the cohein gadol (the high priest). Finally, the parasha concludes with a description of the way in which the cohein gadol and other cohanim are to be installed.
What do you think the most enduring and iconic symbol is in Judaism? I think most people would say either the Star of David, or a "Chai". Initially, the Star of David as a Jewish symbol gained popularity only in the 17th century. It was actually a Christian symbol in the early days of the Church! The Chai as a symbol is a bit older and seems to have first appeared in medieval Spain. However, the earliest and most enduring Jewish symbol is the one first mentioned in this week's Torah portion, the Menorah.
Why did the Menorah become Judaism's most enduring symbol? I think the answer is found in the first verse of T'tzaveh. "You (Moses) shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting the ner tamid" (Ex. 27:20). What do the words ner tamid actually mean? We all know it as "Eternal Light", but the Etz Hayyim translation has it as "kindling the lamps regularly". Both shed light (pun intended) on why the Menorah became Judaism's most important symbol.
There is no doubt that in its context, ner tamid does mean to "regularly kindle the lamp". However it is through the lens of history that our tradition interpreted it as the "Eternal Light". Both meanings speak to us and endow the Menorah with its special status. We all want to know that there is an eternal presence in our lives, homes and synagogues. The "Eternal Light" is a reminder of that. We see it every time we step foot into the sanctuary. Yet we also understand that God's light, or presence, is not brought into the world only by God. God's presence is also brought into the world by each of us. We are instructed by the words "ner tamid", that this is something that needs to be done regularly-each and every day. When we fulfill mitzvot and help to make the world a better place, God's presence is found. What more powerful symbol could there be than one that reminds us both of God's presence and our constant responsibility to make God seem present? That, it seems to me, is the reason the symbol of the Menorah has endured throughout all of Jewish history.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Kane
