Pri Etz Chaim

Ari Clark, Rabbinic Intern Parshat Tzav Message to Travelers

Business travel. Whether its driving to different clients or flying to conferences, people are traveling at all times and to all places, While a new setting can be exciting and provide a healthy break from the routine, traveling can also be stressful and difficult for continuing good habits, especially when it comes to Judaism. Perhaps this weeks parsha can provide some important inspiration for the travails of travelers. Early on, the Torah states (6:6): : Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually; it shall not go out. The Talmud Yerushalmi writes that the extraneous addition at the end of the verse, it shall not go out indicates that even during the nations travels in the desert, the fire on the alter remained lit. While the Talmud seems to be indicating a simple practical fact, Rav Aharon Levin, who lived in Poland in the early 20th century, provides an inspiring homiletic interpretation to the Talmuds statement. When a person is in his home, going about his daily routine, comfort and ease surrounds him. He can mold his world to suit his physical and spiritual needs, granting him access to his full potential. When a person travels, however, the world around him falls out of his control. He finds himself surrounded by foreign environments that may not be detrimental in their core but undoubtedly provide challenges. In those times of powerlessness, a man must ask himself: who am I at my core? When I find myself outside my comfort zone, standing alone with myself, what values do I project? To these questions, the Talmud teaches: Fire shall keep burning and not go out, even as one travels. Rav Levin quotes another verse in Psalms that also seems to allude to this message (128:1): : Praiseworthy is the one who fears G-d, who walks in His ways. Simply interpreted, the author praises a person who walks in the ways of G-d. Rav Levin reads the verse as saying praiseworthy is the one who fears G-d as he walks on his own way." As he goes on his travels, encountering different challenges and obstacles, he garners praise if he can remain steadfast to his commitments towards G-d and His laws. As the holiday of Pesach approaches, this message seems unnecessary, for most Jews will travel less due to the holiday time with family. But knowing the challenges that one faces during the year is exactly the message thats needed during the times of quiet. While Jewish holidays are meant to provide rest, happiness, and enjoyment, they also provide the chance to grow and solidify ones commitment to G-d. Pesach especially affords Jews the chance to acquire a greater appreciation for G-ds involvement in our lives, as we celebrate the moment where G-d made us a nation by taking us out of slavery. Before time pushes us back into our hectic lives, we face the perfect opportunity to light a fire in our souls and keep the passion and thirst for meaning and value in our daily lives. Have a wonderful Shabbat and a Chag Kasher VSameach. May G-d grant each and every one of you a happy and healthy holiday, and may we all merit to spend next years Passover seder in a rebuilt Jerusalem.