The verse from Parashat Tzav (Leviticus 6:6):
“A continual fire shall burn upon the altar; it shall not go out.”
— It sounds like a technical instruction… but in truth, it’s one of the deepest and most spiritual commandments in the entire Torah.
Let’s dive in and uncover the beating heart of sacred service.
🔥 What Is the Fire on the Altar?
On the simplest level – it refers to a physical flame that the priests were required to keep burning 24/7, even at night.
It was used to ignite the sacrifices and remained constantly lit.
But the Sages, the Kabbalists, and the commentators reveal a secret:
🔥 This fire symbolizes the inner fire of the soul.
🔥 A fire that must never be extinguished – a hint to unwavering love for God.
🔥 A perpetual flame – a call for a life filled with passion, vitality, and spiritual enthusiasm – even in routine, even in hardship.
💡 So why “a perpetual fire”?
Because fire, unlike water, doesn’t sustain itself.
It constantly needs fuel.
The moment there’s no wood – it dies out.
And so it is with the soul:
If you don’t nourish it, it goes out.
So the Torah comes and says:
You want a life of meaning? Of connection to holiness? Of warmth and light?
Guard the fire. Don’t let it die.
🔥 What does this mean for us today?
When you feel yourself “cooling down” – reignite.
Don’t rely only on what you once did. The soul needs renewal.
Even if you’re working, tired, running between tasks – keep a small ember of holiness inside you.
Because sometimes it’s the quiet ember – that holds the strongest fire.
🔥 What’s the secret to a fire that doesn’t go out?
Torah study – Torah is the “wood” of the soul. Without learning, the flame weakens.
Personal conversation with God – even 30 seconds a day: “Master of the world, give me a burning heart!”
Giving – acts of kindness, a good word, helping someone – these are sparks that reignite the heart.
Singing and melody – even a simple melody sung with soul can awaken the inner flame.
Remembering why you’re here – why you get up each morning. What your role in the world is.
💬 One final word to your heart:
Sometimes, everything feels frozen.
You have no drive, the heart feels cold.
But the Torah doesn’t say:
“A constant fire shall be on the altar”
It says:
“A constant fire shall be kindled on the altar” – present tense. Renew. Ignite. Now.
And your soul?
It’s just waiting for you to bring it one small match.
And it will burn.
