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Leviticus 6:5 - Eternal flame, priestly devotion daily

Leviticus 6:5 - ויקרא 6:5

Hebrew Text

וְהָאֵשׁ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ תּוּקַד־בּוֹ לֹא תִכְבֶּה וּבִעֵר עָלֶיהָ הַכֹּהֵן עֵצִים בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר וְעָרַךְ עָלֶיהָ הָעֹלָה וְהִקְטִיר עָלֶיהָ חֶלְבֵי הַשְּׁלָמִים׃

English Translation

And the fire upon the altar shall be kept burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.

Transliteration

Veha'esh al-hamizbe'ach tukad-bo lo tichbeh uv'ier aleha hakohen etzim baboker baboker v'arach aleha ha'olah v'hiktir aleha chelvei hashelamim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָאֵ֨שׁ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֤חַ תּֽוּקַד־בּוֹ֙ לֹ֣א תִכְבֶּ֔ה וּבִעֵ֨ר עָלֶ֧יהָ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן עֵצִ֖ים בַּבֹּ֣קֶר בַּבֹּ֑קֶר וְעָרַ֤ךְ עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ הָֽעֹלָ֔ה וְהִקְטִ֥יר עָלֶ֖יהָ חֶלְבֵ֥י הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃
וְהָאֵ֨שׁ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֤חַ תּֽוּקַד־בּוֹ֙ לֹ֣א תִכְבֶּ֔ה וּבִעֵ֨ר עָלֶ֧יהָ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן עֵצִ֖ים בַּבֹּ֣קֶר בַּבֹּ֑קֶר וְעָרַ֤ךְ עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ הָֽעֹלָ֔ה וְהִקְטִ֥יר עָלֶ֖יהָ חֶלְבֵ֥י הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Eternal Flame on the Altar

The verse (Vayikra 6:5) commands that the fire on the Mizbe'ach (altar) must burn continuously and never be extinguished. Rashi explains that this refers to the "Aish Tamid" (eternal fire), which was one of the primary responsibilities of the Kohanim in the Beit HaMikdash. Even when no korbanot (offerings) were being brought, the fire had to be maintained.

Daily Wood Arrangement

The instruction for the Kohen to add wood "ba'boker ba'boker" (every morning) teaches, as the Rambam writes in Hilchot Temidin u'Musafin (2:1), that arranging the wood was part of the daily Avodah (Temple service). The Talmud (Yoma 27b) states that this mitzvah took precedence even on Shabbat and Yom Kippur.

Order of the Service

  • Cleaning the Altar: The Mishnah (Tamid 1:4) describes how the Kohanim would first remove ashes before adding new wood.
  • Wood Arrangement: The Midrash (Sifra Tzav 6) notes that the wood had to be arranged in a specific manner to ensure proper burning.
  • Korbanot: Only after preparing the fire would the daily Tamid offering and fats of Shelamim (peace offerings) be burned, as the verse details.

Symbolic Meaning

The Kli Yakar teaches that the eternal flame represents the continuous relationship between Hashem and Klal Yisrael. Just as the fire never extinguishes, so too does the divine connection remain constant. The daily renewal of the wood symbolizes our obligation to constantly renew our avodat Hashem with fresh enthusiasm.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 132) derives from this verse the prohibition against allowing the fire to extinguish. The Ramban adds that this mitzvah applies even when the Beit HaMikdash is not standing, preparing us for its future rebuilding.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 45a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the perpetual fire on the altar and the duties of the priests in maintaining it.
📖 Tamid 27b
The verse is cited in the context of the daily service in the Temple, particularly regarding the burning of the offerings and the maintenance of the altar fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the fire on the altar should never go out?
A: The Torah commands that the fire on the altar in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) must burn continuously (Leviticus 6:5). According to Rashi, this teaches us about the importance of consistency in serving Hashem. Just as the fire was never allowed to extinguish, our dedication to Torah and mitzvot should be constant and unwavering.
Q: Why did the kohen (priest) have to add wood every morning?
A: The Mishnah (Yoma 4:4) explains that adding wood each morning ensured the fire remained strong enough to consume the korbanot (offerings). Rambam (Hilchot Temidin U'Musafin 2:1) teaches that this daily act symbolized renewing our commitment to Hashem each day, just as we recite morning prayers to reconnect with Him daily.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 7:5) compares the eternal flame to the 'fire' of Torah study that should always burn within us. Even though we don't have the Temple today, we maintain this ideal through constant Torah learning, regular prayer (like Shacharit each morning), and performing mitzvot with enthusiasm - keeping our spiritual 'flame' alive.
Q: What is the significance of burning the fat of the peace offerings?
A: Rashi (on Leviticus 3:16) explains that the fats and certain organs were burned because they represent the 'choicest parts.' The Talmud (Chulin 49b) teaches this shows we must offer our best to Hashem. The peace offerings (shelamim) particularly symbolize harmony between people and Hashem, and the burning of fats represents dedicating our material blessings to spiritual purposes.
Q: How does this verse connect to the daily Temple service?
A: The Mishnah (Tamid 1:2) describes how this verse was fulfilled through the 'Terumat Hadeshen' ceremony - removing ashes each morning before adding new wood. Rambam (Hilchot Temidin U'Musafin 1:1-3) details this as the first of the daily Temple services, showing that maintaining the fire was foundational to all other offerings and services that followed.