Speculation on Fire: Vayakhel’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

On a neighborhood walk, my wife and I smelled smoke. Opposite the sunset, I viewed an ominous purple sky. My mind percolated with thoughts of another apocalyptic wildfire. An elbow to my ribs evaporated my mental state. My wife, who had been looking in the other direction, pointed to our neighbor’s bellowing chimney.

Scholars, for scriptural insights, love truisms. Biblical scholars argue that prohibitory laws were likely enacted because the offensive conduct was being practiced.

In the Torah Portion Vayakhel, a new Sabbath commandment is introduced. “You shall not burn a fire in all of your homes on the Sabbath day,” Exodus 35:3. Applying truism to the law, one must assume that there were societal concerns over Sabbath fires.

The prohibition raises other issues. Fires in compliance with Sabbath Commandments can also exist on the Sabbath. A fire starting before the Sabbath is allowed to continue. These fires simply burn out over time. A continuing fire throughout the Sabbath, however, most likely required assistance in the form of work. A fire lasting throughout the Sabbath likely involved activities such as wood gathering and the fire fueling.

With a fire burning throughout the Sabbath, passers-by would likely speculate on the household’s conduct. People throughout the town would believe that a Sabbath violation was occurring. Someone inside was likely working to maintain the fire.

Thus, smoke late in the Sabbath signaled a strong likelihood that Sabbath labor violation. With this in mind, it appears that the prohibition’s greater intent was for foster community cohesiveness towards Sabbath observance.

Conclusion

The Sabbath laws suggest a communal sense towards the holy day. The Sabbath observance intent arguably have included communal and national aspirations. The Sabbath appears to be far greater than a mere individual’s actions.

Be well!!

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