On a camping trip this week with our extended family, our children were excited to build a campfire. Fire safety is an important part of constructing a campfire. I explained to them that the heat of the fire can be dangerous. I also explained the results of throwing items into the fire. Being that the fire burns on fuel, we need to be careful about what we put in to fuel the fire.
At my son’s suggestion that we throw in an entire bottle of lighter fluid to make the fire really big, I countered that it would indeed make it big, but it would have two problems. Firstly, it would be very dangerous. Since it is highly flammable it would create such a large fire that we may not be able to control. Secondly, it would only be temporary. In order for the fire to last long (which they desperately wanted!), it would require proper fuel. Lighter fluid might be glamorous, but it does not have staying power. It’s only meant to give a boost, so the fire catches on to the real fuel, the wood.
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As I taught my children and relatives this important lesson, I considered the spiritual meaning of fire. I wondered if it paralleled the physical benefits and hazards.
I didn’t need to look far.
In this week’s parsha, Pinchas, we learn about many of the offerings that were offered in the Bait HaMikdash, the Holy Temple. Some were offered daily, others on festivals, and yet others for special purposes. Some were from animals and others from produce.
Common to all of them was fire. The Torah states many times that the offering is, “a fire offering with a spirit of satisfaction to G-d.” Interestingly, the Torah never states that the sheep or the flour is pleasing to G-d. Rather, it is the fire that gives G-d satisfaction. Of course, G-d is not physical and does not need the meat and nutrition of the food. Nor does He require the light and warmth of the fire. Rather, it is the spiritual dimension of fire. That satisfies G-d.
So, what is it about fire that causes G-d to appreciate the offerings?
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The Maggid of Mezritch explained that while the offerings may differ in their substance, they were all accompanied by fire. When a Jew serves G-d with warmth and enthusiasm, this gives G-d pleasure.
In order to serve G-d with warmth and enthusiasm we need to have fuel. How do we fuel our souls’ internal fire?
There are many quick fixes offered to give us our daily dose of inspiration. It might be a melody or a proverb. It might be a walk in the woods or a breath of fresh air.
These are great springboards for stimulation. But, if we want the inspiration to last beyond the moment, igniting the fire will not suffice. We must feed the fire real fuel.
Genuine, lasting fuel comes in many forms. But usually it isn’t as glitzy as the type of inspiration that gets us going. Studying Torah, introspective prayer, true contemplation and intense mitzvot are the fuel that will keep our devotion full of warmth and enthusiasm.
If we wish to offer G-d a true sacrifice, we must keep the flame alive. We need to feed our souls. And for that there are no shortcuts.
As my children discovered this week, lighter fluid is very potent. But it is also short-lived.