Kindling Fire

Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha Vay akhel  and he assembled
Torah: Shemot 35:1 – 38:20

“You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” (Ex 35:3 )

** The Hebrew word translated “kindle” in verse 3 is “tava aru”. It is sometimes translated “to build”. The issue isn’t a burning fire on Shabbat.  The issue is working to create a fire on Shabbat. The level of observance to this verse varies from sect to sect.  

“But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.” (Jer 17:27 )

**  Notice that we “hallow Shabbat” when we don’t carry a “burden” on Shabbat.

32  Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33  And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34  They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him. 35  Then Avinu said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36  So, as Avinu commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.” (Nu 15:32-36 )

**   Notice that the man was  “gathering sticks on the Shabbat..”.  The supposition is that he was going to use them to kindle a fire on Shabbat.  But, he wasn’t killed for kindling a fire.  He was killed for carrying the sticks. 

** As we meditate on these verses, we must determine what level of observation we are willing to do in order to comply with the instruction. 

Remember,

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of Avinu leads you to repentance?” (Ro 2:4 )