(June 2023) “Take Me Home, to the Place I Belong”
/(June 28, 2023) We are instructed in the Torah about the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Lamp, which burns perpetually in the synagogue near the holy ark (which houses the Torah). God told Moses that a lamp filled with pure oil should always burn in the Tabernacle, and we know that every synagogue and temple today has such a lamp, usually over or near the aron hakodesh, the holy ark. Ours is a beautiful artistic lamp resembling the Burning Bush hanging right in front of the ark in our Beth Samuel sanctuary.
The Ner Tamid represents God’s eternal presence and the covenant with the Jewish people. It is the symbol of the light of Torah and the spark of light which burns in all of our hearts. These sparks are passed down through the generations as teachings and life lessons, as well as cherished rituals and traditions.
Over these last few months we have been coming back to the synagogue for social events and more in-person services. We have seen a welcome return to our building and to our friends, and we have been making adjustments, as we happily anticipate this trend to continue. It’s been a long few years with the pandemic, and as we come out of it, may we continue this journey home to our beloved synagogue together.
Remember, the light is always on!
B’shalom,
Cantor Rena