From the first words of Genesis, “let there be light” (Gn 1:3) to the final chapter of Revelation, “Night will be no more, nor will they need light from a lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rv 22:5) we see God using light and light reminding us of his presence. For this reason, both Jews and Catholics have maintained the use of light, particularly in a perpetually burning lamp in their liturgical practice, to signify or point to God in presence among us. For Orthodox Jews, this lamp is called an Eternal Light or Ner Tamid, and hangs above the ark in every synagogue. For Catholics, this lamp is the Sanctuary Lamp which hangs in front of the tabernacle to remind us of the true presence …show more content…
Today in Jewish worship this perpetually burning lamp can be found in two different objects in a synagogue: the seven-branched menorah, and the ner tamid, or eternal light. The menorah does not burn perpetually, but the eternal light does. It “hangs above the ark [containing the scrolls of the Torah] in every synagogue. It is often associated with the menorah, the seven-branched lamp stand which stood in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is also associated with the continuously-burning incense altar which stood in front of the ark.” It seems that it is common for this lamp to be an electric lamp today rather than with clear olive oil as originally commanded by God in Leviticus (Lv 24:1). The ner tamid has been described as “a further symbol of God’s eternal presence amongst Israel”. But the flame symbolizes more than that. It is the symbol of the light of the Torah and the warmth that traditional Jewish life always represents. It teaches the lesson of eternity – of the long view of life and events, and of the unquenchable love between God and His people and of the Jewish people and their Torah.” For the Jewish people, the Torah or law is a precious gift given by God to all generations. Thus, to