The eternal light today – Tzav
The Torah says, “The fire shall burn upon the altar continually; it shall not go out” (Lev. 6:6).
Rashi says that this verse teaches us more than appears at first sight.
It indicates that when the Temple is rebuilt, the menorah of the sanctuary is to be rekindled from the flame of the altar.
Maimonides says (Hilchot Melachim 1:1) that three things must be done upon returning to the Holy Land: rebuilding the Temple, establishing a monarchy, and destroying Amalek.
The land of Israel should not be regarded simply as a piece of territory nor even as a place of refuge after centuries of wandering and oppression. It must be a land known for its Jewish character.
This does not mean the same as the vague phrase, “a Jewish State”. It is not enough to have a vacuous reference to Jewishness. Having a Jewish State needs to be more rigorously defined.
There needs to be – in religion, government and external relations – a visible link with the eternal light.
