Shabbat Parashat Tzav - 5784

Rabbi Hal Miller

The fire on the Mizbeach shall remain aflame on it, it shall not be extinguished, and the

Kohen shall kindle wood upon it every morning, he shall arrange the olah offering on it

and shall cause the fats of the peace offerings to go up in smoke upon it. [Vayikra 6:5]

A fire, continually, shall remain aflame on the Mizbeach, you shall not extinguish it.

[Vayikra 6:6]

In two consecutive verses the Torah tells us that the flame must stay lit on the Altar and

also twice tells us it may not be extinguished. Why the repetitions?

The Gemora [Yoma 45a] describes a debate regarding the number of fires lit and maintained

on the Altar and the purpose of each. All the debaters hold that there were at least two, one

for the animal sacrifices and one for the incense offering. There is discussion about always

having fire available to relight the Menorah after each cleaning, and a couple other maintenance

issues, with each fire being kept separate on top of the Altar. Rashi cites this and specifically

states the maintenance of the Menorah as one of the reasons. Reish Lakish [Yoma 23b] says

that multiple fires are required because the main one must be put out to clear the ashes, then

relit, so there must be a second always maintained.

Other commentators approach the verses from different angles. Rav Hirsch explains that the

fire on top of the Altar represents a command that all phases of national and individual life

must be dedicated to the fire of Torah. Ramban sees the two verses as giving two separate

commandments to the Kohanim, a positive one to put enough wood on the Altar to keep the

fire burning and a negative second one to avoid being lax in this.

Onkelos tells us this command is to signify the perpetual devotion of Israel to God. Rav Yosef

Soloveitchik cites Pirkei Avot [5:5] that one of the standing miracles in the Sanctuary was that

the rain never put out this fire even though there was no covering over the Altar area.

Kol Dodi notes that the word bo, "on it" appears multiple times and says this is superfluous so

there must be a different reason than the obvious. The word can also be translated as "in him"

referring to the fire that must burn in the person who brings a sacrifice to purify his heart from

the sin that he is bringing it for. Or HaChayim understands the fire on the Altar to represent

the wrath of God toward the nations who oppress Israel, that it will rage unbroken until the day

of full judgment of the world.

It seems there are two purposes to the fire on the Altar, one practical and one spiritual. The

seemingly repetitive verses are one for each purpose type.

Hal Miller