Tzav: Fire

Tzav: Fire

The parsha tells of the initiation of Aaron and his sons into the  sacrificial rite.  The parsha outlines the sacrificial rite and its component offerings and then describes the sanctification of its components: the altar and the priests. 

This service, the offering of animal parts, wine, grain, and oil on the altar, which stood in the courtyard outside the sanctuary is separate from very private activities inside the cedar  walls.  The flames of the altar, that were not be extinguished, was a public production, any person, whether sinful or grateful, could participate, and thereby interact with the Divine. 

The fire that must always burn on the altar was a key part of the service.  The fire was fueled by wood that burned the daily olah offering.  All subsequent contributions were burned on this base. 

Fire is an insubstantial reality.  It is the paradigm of  energy utilization , both in a historic-scientific view,  and in a symbolic approach. 

Visible fire is the light emitted from cooling of gases produced when matter is heated sufficiently to overcome the activation energy barrier to oxidation with air.  In a fire, the oxidation reaction releases energy, recruiting additional matter into oxidation.  The cooling gas results in a decline in the energy state of electrons.  The change in the quantum state of the electrons produces visible light. 

 And there was light. 

Fire, an energy under human control creates light.  Humans can do a Gd thing, they can create light - and heat ,and ash.  Fire is power. 

Fire has a mind of its own.  Without careful control, this beautiful multicolored  thing of light, consumes its surroundings.  It is the archetype for passion. It is an insatiable appetite, looking for partners, consuming in a moment of splendor and leaving behind ashes.  

 And it was passion that brought the supplicant to the  altar.