The commentators interpret this pasuk homiletically. “And the fire of the Altar shall be kept aflame on it.” One in whom the fire/passion to serve the Almighty burns within him should be careful to see to it that it remains bo, “within him” – not externally, to hurt others. In other words, one should go to great strides to see to it that his religious observance does not impinge on others. An observant Jew should be especially sensitive to the feelings of those around him. They quote the passage in the Talmud Succah 28a, which notes that Yonasan ben Uziel, the student of Hillel HaZakein, the Elder, was so passionate and fervent about his Torah study, that when he studied Torah, a bird that would fly over him would immediately be emolliated.
The question is asked: If this is the great devotion to Torah study evinced by Yonasan ben Uziel – the student – what was the level of his revered Rebbe – Hillel HaZakein? Certainly, it was even more elevated, and perhaps more extreme. The Sefas Emes explains that Hillel HaZakein’s level of Torah study was so exalted, that if a bird flew over him, it would not become burned! Hillel HaZakein’s fire burnt bo, “internally, within him.”
The greatness of a person is determined by his ability not to cause any pain or discomfort – either physical or emotional – to anyone who comes within his proximity. If one’s frumkeit negatively affects others, his religious observance is sorely lacking. In the apartment of Horav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, zl, author of the Michtav M’Eliyahu, there was a container of air freshener displayed prominently on the kitchen counter. It created a stir, since the students who had occasion to visit the Mashgiach could not fathom the need for such a utensil in their Rebbe’s home. Once, on Purim, when everyone was in an alcoholic-induced stupor, such that their courage was emboldened, one of the students sprayed some freshener and asked, “What brachah, blessing, does one recite on this?” Rav Dessler immediately countered, “I think that it states explicitly in halachah that one does not recite a blessing over something which does not belong to him.” The subject was closed, and it remained that way.
Sometime later, after the passing of the Rebbetzin, the mystery was solved. Only then was it discovered that, every two weeks, a man came to pick up the couple’s laundry to be washed. Being a true scion of the famous Kelmer mussar movement, of character refinement, the Rebbetzin would not allow another Jew to be compelled to smell the unseemly odor of dirty laundry. She would spray the soiled laundry with air freshener to spare the man this indignity. This was a prime example of internalized frumkeit.
