A Menial Task

One of the lesser known Mitzvot connected with Temple service, is known as תרומת הדשן, which means, the removal of the ashes.

It could only be performed by a Kohein, who is on duty at that time.

It is far from being a glamorous Mitzva, but it was done with great enthusiasm. Every morning, one Kohein was chosen for this task. The contenders would awaken before dawn, and immerse themselves in a Mikva, before drawing lots, to see who would be chosen.

The winner would be reminded to wash his hands and feet at the Temple wash basin. He would take a silver shovel, and proceed to remove the ashes from the Olah Sacrifice that had been burning all night. He would make several trips up and down the ramp to the altar, and dispose of the hot ash in a special hole, prepared for this purpose. It was a difficult and tedious task, but the Kohein felt honored for his special role.

We often see people who would rather be poor, than “lower” themselves to take on a job that they believe is beneath them. They allow their ego to get the best of them, and they suffer the consequences.

A story is told about the great Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. He prayed the evening service every night at exactly forty-two minutes after sunset. On one particular evening, he would not allow the prayers to begin. He noticed that the street sweeper had not yet arrived. Rav Shlomo Zalman sensed he would momentarily arrive, and he did.

This is what made Rav Shlomo Zalman so great, as he respected every Jew. The laws of the Terumat Hadeshen, similarly taught the sanctity of sincere hard work, regardless if it was glamorous or not.