The Always-Fire

Dear Friends,

A fire shall continuously burn on the altar; it shall not go out. (Lev. 6:6)

What is this fire we are asked to tend, always?

It is fire that comes from the flames of the burning bush,
Fire that spoke to each of us by name
And asked:
Where are you on your path?
What is your life about?

It is fire that comes from the flames of Sinai
Fire that said to us⁠—All is One.
Live in ways that honor the Oneness.
Live in ways that honor All.

The fire on the altar
Is a fire of transformation
Causing all it touches to become holy. (Lev. 6:20)

This fire is ours to tend.

Let us be kind and gentle with ourselves and others.
Let us practice gratitude
And find reason and opportunity to say thank you again and again.
Let us be true to where we are in the moment
And with care, release the impulse to control what will be.

Each of us on our own paths,
All of us together on this journey.

Let us make holy our words and actions.
May the fires we tend light the way.

—Rabbi Yael Levy

8 Nisan 5780