THE EXTRA ETERNAL LIGHT

QUESTION:

A member of the congregation possesses the Eternal Light from an old dismantled synagogue. She offers it to the Temple to be placed, perhaps, at the entrance of the school facilities, perhaps as a symbol of the light of learning. May this be done? Is it not perhaps a derogation of the Eternal Light’s greater sanctity? (Asked by Rabbi Richard A. Zionts, Shreveport, Louisiana.)

ANSWER:

It is an ongoing question in the halakhah as to what may be done with sacred objects that are no longer in their normal use. The fullest discussion of this question is to be found in Shulhan Arukh, Orah Hayyim 154 (although the phrase describing these sacred objects stems originally from the Talmud, Megillah 26b). It is clear that there are various degrees of sanctity pertaining to ritual objects. Perhaps the highest degree (i.e., among the appurtenances) are those described as tashmishei kedushah (i.e., appurtenances to the sacred). This would include, for example, the covering for a Sefer Torah (by the way, Joseph Caro in the Shulhan Arukh speaks of the covering as a “case” for the Sefer Torah because the Sephardim kept the Torah in a hinged metal case; we would say the mantle of the Torah is an appurtenance of the holy – tashmishei qedushah). The next level of holiness below that is called tashmishei mitzvah. That would refer to the Sukkah, the lulav, the shofar, etc., the straps of the tefillin, etc. The third and the least degree of sanctity is called tashmishei bet hakenneset, “appurtenances to the synagogue building.” There is a different type of disposal for the various degrees. The most sacred cannot be redeemed, but when out of use must be buried. That is why it is customary to bury an unusable Sefer Torah in the grave of a righteous scholar. The second level may be disposed of in any way (Megillah 26b).

Relevant to our question, then, is the following: To which degree of sacredness must we assign the Eternal Light which hangs before the Ark? A study of the literature involved reveals the rather surprising fact that the Eternal Light before our Arks has almost no historical past. See the full discussion in Current Reform Responsa, the first responsum. Although, of course, there was an Eternal Light in the Temple in Jerusalem, and our Eternal Light is in memory of that, nevertheless no mention is made of it before the 18th century. Therefore, it cannot be (and could not be) classified among any of the three degrees of sanctity mentioned in the Shulhan Arukh.

Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that the Eternal Light cannot be said to have “official” sacred status, it has developed the connotation of sacredness to our people for at least two centuries now, and any unworthy use of it would create a sense of profanation among our people. The very fact that the question was asked is an indication of the special sacredness that is associated with the Eternal Light. I would not, for example, hang it in front of an assembly hall, where there are dances and lively celebrations. Many would feel hurt at such hilarity within the confines of a place marked out by the Eternal Light. But to put it in front of a school might well be an appropriate place for it.

To sum up: The Eternal Light is not one of the regularly listed sacred objects that requires special treatment even when out of use. It may be used, therefore, as an extra symbol at the door of the school.