Vayera

 בס״ד

Vayera

What was this fire Avraham carried,

Was it just a flinty rock?

Or an ember from a living flame,

Preserved in a fire pot? 

Did the fire pot preserve a coal,

From that furnace in Ur Kasdim,

The one where Avraham proved himself,

By entering therein?

Or from the roasting fire,

Upon which lamb was cooked for angels,

And served to those who do not eat,

Kept alight, like Sarah’s candle?

Carried now to Har Moriah,

Son and father to be tested,

Will emunah sh’b’gevurah,

Be as strong as that of chesed?

Suspended from a chain or such,

Was this Ner Tamid ushered south,

To ignite, perhaps, a burning bush,

Or singe young Moshe’s mouth?

Or to rekindle a menorah,

That had been much abused,

This spark, this lasting remnant,

Of the holy Ohr Ganuz?