FOR TZAV
FIRE ANSWERS FIRE
Bidding farewell to a friend is normally tinged with sadness. A farewell at a funeral carries the finality element. That makes it terribly sad. When the funeral is for a tragic case, say, a young person succumbing to an illness or an accident, or someone slain at the hands of others, the farewell is downright miserable.
It has been a terrible week of suffering. Among the cases, a plane carrying 149 human beings from all over the world, was deliberately flown into a mountain by a premeditating, callous, and deranged pilot. No survivors. A building collapsed in a fiery explosion in New York, leveling more buildings and injuring scores.
There are times, however, when the tragedy is so gut wrenching and heartrending that words cannot truthfully describe the searing pain, and the inexplicability of the loss.
Such a situation occurred earlier this week. This past Friday night, the Sasoon family, an observant Jewish family living in Brooklyn, was asleep. Mother and all eight kids had no clue that, apparently, the hot plate used to keep food hot for the Shabbos, had malfunctioned. A fire tore through the house, and consumed seven of the children whose frantic screams went unanswered due to the flames. The mother and one daughter, badly burned in the attempt to rescue the rest of the family, injured themselves as they jumped out of the second story window. They remain in critical condition.
Seven children, aged 16-4: Eliyana, Rivka, David, Yehoshua, Moshe, Sarah, and Yaakov. They were just snuffed out, all in one night. Ripped away, just like that.
At the funeral, attended by thousands, the father somehow found the words to state his unshakeable and unequivocal faith in the Almighty. He also valiantly stated: “Please everybody, love your child, love your student, and love the other children. That’s all that counts, understand that.”
It is unfathomable how much pain this tragedy has caused and will continue to cause.
A story as such cannot be taken as a random piece of information. Aside from shaking people up, and aside from a tear or two, this really horrific story must produce goodness in this world.
When contemplating this story during this disturbing week, the fire that took those lives is what stood out for me. The fire is also the opening discussion of this week’s Torah portion, “Tzav.” The Torah relates: “G-d spoke to Moses saying: Command Aaron and his sons: this is the law of the burnt-offering. It is the burnt-offering which (is) burnt on the altar all night until morning.” (Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:1-2.) The Torah continues in discussing how a shovel-full of the ashes on the altar must be removed each morning. When a large amount of ash has accumulated, it must be carried away from the camp, and eventually from Jerusalem.
As an introduction, the Torah informs its readers about the “Law of the burnt offering.” In reality, the only law here is about burning this offering through the night. The rest of the details of the burnt offering are found in the previous portion. The “law” discussed here is has nothing to do with any part of the offering aside for when it is physically turning into ash!
The reason is about fire. The burnt offering was unique in that no human received any form of benefit from its offering. It was consumed, burnt, in its entirety.
Yet, a human being spent the funds and the time and presented this offering. The benefit, in this case, would be solely spiritual.
From the dedication of this person comes the fire through the night. The night is dark, the night is cold. The night and its darkness represent the dark and difficult moments in life. The fire introduces heat and a glow to warm up the cold and to illuminate the darkness.
As a result of the special commitment and dedication by the person choosing to offer the burnt offering, its burning produces heat and light through the night.
A similar point is emphasized by the festival of Passover – celebrated beginning next Friday night: Its main celebrations are on the eves, the nights, of Passover. The requirement to eat Matzah and other unique foods, drink the four cups of wine, and relate the story – must all be done specifically after nightfall, to be completed by daybreak. For the power of liberation and freedom of Passover has the ability to break through and illuminate the gloomiest and darkest night.
The Sasoon family tragedy is the darkest and coldest story to surface in a long time. Even the firefighters, accustomed to seeing carnage, destruction, and devastation, required counseling and help to get through the enormity of this tragedy.
This is a call to light a “fire.” A fire of light, a fire of warmth, and a fire of passion.
If this aching father, despite the heart-breaking fiery tragedy, can call on the world to hold strong to the ways of the Almighty with passion and commitment, surely, the flame of fire and warmth can be lit by each one of us.
Please pray for the welfare of Gila bas Tziporah, and her daughter, Tziporah bas Gila, who remain in critical condition.
May the Almighty provide comfort to this family, and all the families whose long nights were begun this week, by heralding in the Messianic era. At that time, all pain and suffering across the world will cease forever, and will be replaced by the greatest light ever seen. May this happen speedily in our days. Amen.
SUMMARY: The commitment of the burnt offering turns even the dark and cold night into warmth and light.