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The Torah alludes to the soul of the Jewish person in whatever situation he is in; even if he is in the lowest place, the person should not despair because the fire on the mizbeach will continue burning and not go out.
Our connection to Hashem always remains and always exists even if it is not obvious at first glance.
The spark is always lit - אֵ֗שׁ תָּמִיד תּוּקַ֥ד עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ לֹ֥א תִכְבֶּֽה״”. That spark is present and waiting for something or someone to rekindle it.
Despite our daily routine and despite the decline that may occur with us at times, we must remember that the possibility of rekindling and lighting the flame is in our hands. Sometimes we are required to increase and strengthen our internal flame, and sometimes we must take care of those around us and help them rekindle their fire.
The life we know today is the life after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash - the fire of the mizbeach has gone out but we will ignite and light up our hearts.
Elazar Azikri lived in Safed in the 16th century, and there in northern Eretz Yisrael he wrote books and poems (one of his famous books is the Sefer Haredim). In one of his poems he writes: "In my heart I will build a mishkan for him, I will sacrifice my only soul to him." Three hundred years later, Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner (author of "Pachad Yitzchak") took this sentence and composed the following famous song:
בלבבי משכן אבנה להדר כבודו
ובמשכן מזבח אקים לקרני הודו
ולנר תמיד אקח לי את אש העקידה
ולקרבן אקריב לו את נפשי היחידה
Over the past six months, we have been immersed in an unbearable routine of falling into the abyss of hopelessness and despair. In these difficult times we must remember and remind everyone that the road is a long road - it has ups and downs - and despite everything we must keep the fire of faith burning in our hearts. Am Yisrael Chai.
Shabbat Shalom,
Morah Shiran Shamay
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