Ever wonder how to keep your spiritual spark alive when life feels like it’s stuck on repeat? There’s actually a fascinating insight about this in Leviticus 6:5, where G-d gives a seemingly simple instruction to the Jewish people: “A continuous fire shall burn upon the altar; it shall not go out.”
Today, if you walk into any synagogue, you’ll spot something called the “Ner Tamid” – an eternal flame that hangs above the holy ark. It’s a beautiful reminder of that ancient altar fire. But there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
The Chassidic masters saw something deeper here. They taught that this eternal flame isn’t just about keeping a physical fire burning – it’s about maintaining our inner spiritual fire. Think of it as your personal pilot light, always there, waiting to burst into full flame when you need it most.
You see, each of us has our own inner sanctuary, a special place within our hearts where that divine spark lives. Sure, we might not think about it during our daily rush of errands and responsibilities, but it’s always there, quietly flickering. The trick is learning how to fan that flicker into a brilliant fire.
Our inner flame is like a faithful pilot light – steady, reliable, ever-present. But give it a bit of spiritual fuel – even something as simple as a kind word or thoughtful deed – and watch what happens. That modest flame can surge into something powerful, transforming from a quiet flicker into a torch that illuminates every corner of our lives.
Maybe it’s taking five minutes to read something inspiring from Scripture or going a little out of your way to help someone who’s struggling. These might seem like small things, but they’re actually profound when it comes to nurturing our inner fire. In fact, Jewish wisdom teaches that even one positive action can tip the scales for the entire world, bringing us all a step closer to that dream of universal peace and prosperity we’re all hoping for.
So next time you’re feeling spiritually drained, remember your eternal pilot light. It doesn’t take much to fan the flame – just one small act of kindness, one moment of connection, one step in the right direction. Who knows? Your simple good deed today might just be the spark that ignites a greater light for all.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger, y@tasteoftorah.org
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