It is an interesting fact that Parshas Titzaveh does not begin at the start of a new perek (chapter), but rather with the last two verses of perek 27. This would not be particularly interesting if one chapter specifically connected to the next, but while both chapters discuss necessary objects for service in the Mishkan, Chapter 27 is focused on the altar while Chapter 28 is about the clothing of the kohanim. The last two verses of Chapter 27, however, are about the lighting of the Ner Tamid: "Now you shall command the Children of Israel that they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil for illuminations, to kindle the lamp continually. In the tent of meeting, outside the partition that is near the testimonial tablets, Aharon and his sons shall arrange it from evening until morning, before Hashem, an eternal decree for their generations, from the Children of Israel" (27:20-21).
Pure olive oil, as it always must be in the Mishkan/Beis Hamikdash, is to be lit every evening and last until morning just outside the Holy of Holies. From a practical perspective, a light at night keeps the kodesh area protected, keeps the Cohanim from accidentally entering an area that is forbidden except on the holiest day of the year. More than that, however, it has resonance as a reminder that even at night we must be focused on our Torah, on our relationship with Hashem.
At this time of year, so close to Purim, it is almost impossible not to find an inspirational message here. The Aron containing the luchot and from whence Hashem let His voice be heard, is hidden behind the parochet, a curtain… a mask so to speak. The light outside reminds us that just because Hashem is not seen does not mean He is not there - a fact that is true especially in the darkest times. We must use the light of emunah, as Mordechai did, to illuminate the darkness.
How can this mitzvah be "an eternal decree for the generations" if omniscient Hashem knew we would have times without a Mishkan or a Beis Hamikdash? Because the Ner Tamid has deeper significance than just the light of a lamp in front of the partition before the Aron. Perhaps it is a reference to how we ourselves must light up the Torah even in an era where it seems that people are in darkness. We who love the Torah, the mitzvos, and having a relationship with Hashem must strive to live clear, open lives, like the pure olive oil, to be fuel for inspiring the world around us. This might be why the verse concludes “m’ait Bnei Yisrael,” from the Children of Israel, because it is we who must provide the fuel.
This may also provide an idea as to why these two verses were attached to the instructions for the clothing of the Cohanim. The Cohanim are to the Jewish people what the Jewish people are meant to be to the world as we have the unique goal of being a mamleches cohanim, a kingdom of priests. The garb of the cohanim is simple, yet deliberate; so too the Jewish people must present ourselves to world in a way that is deliberate but approachable - in a way that brings inspiration to others.
Hashem commands that the light be kindled from evening until morning, but it is referred to as a Ner Tamid, a continual light. One would think that a continual light never goes out. Indeed, this is the heart of the message. The actions that we take, the mitzvot that we perform with honest emunah, have the power to create inspiration throughout all time.
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