Fire Purifies

When discussing the sacrifices, a common factor related to all of them, is the הקטר אברים וחלבים, the burning of limbs and fats. This usually took place during the night following the offering of a particular קרבן. The Gemara in מסכת ברכות mentions that תפילת ערבית, Davening Maariv, is connected to the burning of these limbs and fats, as they were done at night. Shacharit and Mincha are in place of the daily קרבן תמיד that was offered in the morning and evening. What is also learned from הקטר אברים וחלבים, is the idea that fire has the potential to cleanse. We apply a similar principle when we Kasher our utensils. We say that אש משאב שאיב, that fire has the ability to draw out. We are taught to use a higher degree of heat in order to Kasher, than our normal use. We refer to normal use as רוב תשמישו, how the utensil is used most of the time. And a final use of fire is to symbolically burn away evil. In the שבת הגדול Haftarah, the Prophet Malachi predicted that the day will come when evil will be like straw, and the power of purity will easily burn it all away. As with many things, fire can be damaging, but it also has the aspect of being the vehicle to achieve purity.