GOT A LIGHT?

Parashat Tetzaveh
Adar 15, 5781 / February 26-27, 2021
Torah: Exodus 27:20 – 30:10
Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10-27
  

Candle-lighting: 5:28 PM PST - Sherman Oaks, CA
 
This d’var Torah is offered in memory of Bernard Garvin, who passed away on Sunday. The congregation extends condolences to his wife, Dawn. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – May his memory be a blessing. 
 
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GOT A LIGHT?

“And you shall command the Children of Israel, that they take for you pure olive oil, beaten for the light, that a lamp burn continually (tamid).” Exodus 27:20

What was the purpose of the lamp? For whom was the lamp kept burning? Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani interpreted the verse to mean: “They take for you and not for Me; I do not need the light.” The commentary Torah Temimah, citing Sefer Chinukh, says that the commandment for lighting the menorah was so that the sanctuary would be brightly lit, and that would be for “the glory of Israel”. All of the commandments regarding the sanctuary were for Israel’s glory. Thus, the Torah says, “Take for you” - and not for Me; it is for the glory of Israel.

Although our synagogues today all maintain a Ner Tamid (the only mitzvah associated with the Holy Temple still observed – Rabbi Harold Kushner), which we frequently translate as the “Eternal Lamp”, I have to wonder if that is sufficient glory for Israel. Note that Rashi, citing other verses in the Torah, explains that the Ner Tamid in our verse did not burn continuously; rather, it was lit “regularly”, on a schedule. It did not burn 24/7.  

That being the case, I would suggest that every one of us can establish our own Ner Tamid. You can turn your very own home into a sanctuary by kindling Shabbat candles on a regular basis. Get a new kind of light in your home - do it for the glory of Israel, and for sanctifying your own life.

Be Happy – It’s Adar! Shabbat Shalom!

HaRav HaGaon HaTzaddik Abba Reuven Ben Menachem Mendel Flom, Sh’lita
Der Heileger Rebbe of Sherman Oaks
Rosh Yeshivah – Chelm
Slivovitz Taste Tester
משנכנס אדר, מרבין בשמחה
From the beginning of Adar, we increase joy.
BT Ta’anit 29a
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO! 
 
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Shabbat Evening Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Friday at 6:30 PM. 
 
Shabbat Morning Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Saturday at 10:00 AM. 
 
Religious School this Sunday at 9:00 am.
 
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David Silon’s on-going class “Jewish History” meets Sunday at 11:00 am. 
 
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