Which verse in the Torah summarizes what Judaism is all about? A midrash quoted in the Ein Yaakov offers several different answers to this question. Ben Zoma suggests, “Shema Yisrael,” the basic statement of faith in Hashem that we declare every day. Ben Nanas maintains that “Love your neighbor as yourself” is a more inclusive pasuk, encompassing all of the values of interpersonal relationships. But Shimon ben Pazi says that the verse that sums it up the best is Shemot 29:39, where we are commanded to bring the korban tamid, the daily offering, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. At first glance, this is a shocking suggestion— how could one possibly suggest that this mitzvah encompasses everything?
In Parshat Tzav, we hear the detailed description of many aspects of the service in the mishkan, and we learn that there must be an “esh tamid,” a constant and consistent flame on the altar. The main event in the mishkan was the offering of the sacrifices, some for special occasions and some brought as part of the daily routine. The korban tamid was brought twice every day without fail—weekday or Shabbat, Yom Tov or fast day, rain or shine. What is the message of this sacrifice that makes it so central to Judaism, according to Shimon ben Pazi?
The word “tamid,” which means constant, appears 35 times in the Torah. 34 of those times are about the mishkan! The bread on the shulchan is there “tamid,” there is a “ner tamid” on the Menorah, the esh tamid is always on the altar, and so on. What is the message of “tamid?” That life is measured by the constants, by the things we do every day, not the once-a-year or once-in-a-lifetime exciting, inspirational event. The mitzvot are there to concretize our values into the nitty-gritty details of life. You want to be a good person? The Torah says: Great—now give tzedaka, offer help to your neighbor, don’t be jealous and don’t speak lashon hara. We want to feel connected to God? Then we need to pray every day and make the effort to remember to say brachot before and after we eat. Shacharit and Mincha parallel the korban tamid—every day, rain or shine, an ever-present reminder of our relationship with Hashem, our dependence on Him, and our need to communicate with Him. Inspiration may happen at various times; translating that inspiration into consistent action is the challenge—and the opportunity—that every Jew faces.
What about the 35th time the Torah says “tamid?” That one is a promise from Hashem, describing His relationship to the Land of Israel: “A land that Hashem your God seeks out; Hashem your God’s eyes are always (tamid) on it, from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.” (Devarim 11:12). Just as we are meant to serve Hashem “tamid,” Hashem too constantly watches over His people.
We read Parshat Tzav this year on Shabbat haGadol, right before Pesach. We pray that just as Hashem heard our cries and saw our pain as we suffered slavery in Egypt and acted to redeem us, may Hashem’s watchful eyes see the pain of the world right now as we face the scourge of a pandemic, and quickly bring full healing to His people and to the entire world.
Rabbanit Sally Mayer serves as rosh midrasha at Ohr Torah Stone’s Midreshet Lindenbaum. She is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau ( www.mizrachi.org/speakers ).
