This sheet on Exodus 30 was written by Marc Gitler for 929 and can also be found here
Today’s chapter continues with the details of the sacrificial order, including the need for the sweet-smelling incense, in part, to counter the slaughterhouse smell of the temple. Among the mandated procedures is the priest’s regular burning of incense at twilight, when he ascends to light the lamps of the menorah.
The great Kabbalist and mystic of sixteenth century Safed, Rabbi Isaac Luria, pointed out that the when we look at the opening letters of the words “the lamps at twilight” - אֶת־הַנֵּרֹ֛ת בֵּ֥ין הָעֲרְבַּ֖יִם - it forms the acronym Ahavah the Hebrew word for love. Each and every day, the great mystic teaches, if Aaron wants his service to ascend to the heaven he must do it with feeling, with emotion, with love.
The Chasidic master R. Chaim of Chernowitz writes that the idea is true our daily rituals as Jews. When we just follow the daily procedures dictated by God as simply habits, then we are acting like lifeless individuals, and the mitzvot we perform have no effect upon the Almighty.
I believe that the R. Luria’s idea has a more pressing application, one desperately needed today.
The reality of the world is that there are many “pungent odors,” many bad actors performing various evil deeds. But like Aaron the priest, each of us has the ability, indeed the responsibility, to dispel those bad smells with the “fine aromas” of kindness and good deeds. But the only way to eventually eliminate the foul odors is when ahavah, when love is at the core.
The past week has had quite a stench to it, but the way to counteract that, is not by posting our beliefs on Facebook (has anyone ever changed their political beliefs from a Facebook post?) or “enlightening” those with whom we disagree that our views are morally superior…but rather by the performance of good deeds rooted in love.
The great Kabbalist and mystic of sixteenth century Safed, Rabbi Isaac Luria, pointed out that the when we look at the opening letters of the words “the lamps at twilight” - אֶת־הַנֵּרֹ֛ת בֵּ֥ין הָעֲרְבַּ֖יִם - it forms the acronym Ahavah the Hebrew word for love. Each and every day, the great mystic teaches, if Aaron wants his service to ascend to the heaven he must do it with feeling, with emotion, with love.
The Chasidic master R. Chaim of Chernowitz writes that the idea is true our daily rituals as Jews. When we just follow the daily procedures dictated by God as simply habits, then we are acting like lifeless individuals, and the mitzvot we perform have no effect upon the Almighty.
I believe that the R. Luria’s idea has a more pressing application, one desperately needed today.
The reality of the world is that there are many “pungent odors,” many bad actors performing various evil deeds. But like Aaron the priest, each of us has the ability, indeed the responsibility, to dispel those bad smells with the “fine aromas” of kindness and good deeds. But the only way to eventually eliminate the foul odors is when ahavah, when love is at the core.
The past week has had quite a stench to it, but the way to counteract that, is not by posting our beliefs on Facebook (has anyone ever changed their political beliefs from a Facebook post?) or “enlightening” those with whom we disagree that our views are morally superior…but rather by the performance of good deeds rooted in love.
(א) וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מִזְבֵּ֖חַ מִקְטַ֣ר קְטֹ֑רֶת עֲצֵ֥י שִׁטִּ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתֽוֹ׃
(1) You shall make an altar for burning incense; make it of acacia wood.
Rabbi Marc Gitler works for 929 North America
929 is the number of chapters in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, the formative text of the Jewish heritage. It is also the name of a cutting-edge project dedicated to creating a global Jewish conversation anchored in the Hebrew Bible. 929 English invites Jews everywhere to read and study Tanakh, one chapter a day, Sunday through Thursday together with a website with creative readings and pluralistic interpretations, including audio and video, by a wide range of writers, artists, rabbis, educators, scholars, students and more. As an outgrowth of the web-based platform, 929 English also offers classes, pop-up lectures, events and across North America. We invite you to learn along with us and be part of our dynamic community.
To join 929's listserv for new and dynamic content each week click here
To join 929's listserv for new and dynamic content each week click here
