In the Midrash, the sages debate which verse encapsulates the essence of the Torah. Ben Zoma teaches that it is the verse _Shema Yisrael_, which proclaims Hashem as King and declares His oneness. Ben Nanas (and elsewhere Rabbi Akiva) teach that it is the verse ואהבת לרעך כמוך – to love your fellow as yourself.
Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi says that it is the verse את הכבש האחד תעשה בבוקר “the first lamb you shall sacrifice in the morning and the second lamb you shall sacrifice in the evening.” The Midrash concludes that Rabbi Ploni said that the Halacha accords with ben Pazi. Seemingly, the verses of _Shema Yisrael_ and _Veahavta_ embody beliefs which are more central. Why does the Midrash consider a verse discussing the daily Temple sacrifices to be more fundamental? The Mahara”l explains that the uniqueness of this verse is that it expresses the idea of consistency in the service of Hashem, like a dedicated and faithful servant This is why the daily sacrifice was called the Tamid, meaning constant – an offering in the morning and an offering in the evening, day-in, day-out without change. Whether it was Shabbos, Yomim Tovim, Yom Kippur or a regular weekday, the Tamid was brought without fail. The glue that builds solid relationships is not the moments of ecstasy and passion. Rather it is the small daily expressions of loyalty and dependability done with consistency. The same is true in our relationship with Hashem. The message of the Tamid is that above all, Hashem wants our simple, consistent, daily acts, performed with discipline and dedication, which communicate “I am always thinking of You”.
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