We are at the end of a challenging week, which also brought painful news about soldiers and civilians who were killed. What do we do when we feel switched off? What can give us strength during times like these?
The weekly Torah portion, Parshat Tzav, describes the offering of Korbanot (sacrifices). In the Beit Hamikdash there were two altars used for sacred service: the inner altar, located inside the Temple, and the outer altar, positioned in the courtyard, outside. And what is the order of lighting? First, a fire is kindled on the outer altar — and only then is it transferred to the inner altar to light it.
The late Chani Weinroth wrote a wonderful explanation of this: the work of the Temple parallels our own personal spiritual work.
Within us too, sometimes, the inner fire is extinguished. We feel anxiety, frustration, and pain. How do we rekindle that fire? The answer is surprising: we ignite a fire on the outside. We give outward, to someone else. We think about another person. And when a person steps outside of themselves and acts for the sake of another — they also light up their own soul from within.
You are invited to look around, to seek out who needs a small fire of help and encouragement kindled for them.
Shabbat Shalom, and may we receive only good news.
