Torah Thoughts

by Rebbetzin Lauren Levin

Parshat Tzav continues to detail the functions of the mishkan. Regarding the outer altar we are told:
“A continuous fire shall burn upon the altar; it shall not go out.”

Having a permanent fire burning, albeit very low, would probably make the calmest of us feel anxious, but given the properties of the altar, it seemed a real fire hazard. The altar was made from acacia wood with a copper overlay, and dictated as such by God. Read more…