נחמיה, פרק י׳, פסוק ל״ה

Maintaining the continuous fire on the altar required a massive supply of wood. To ensure this need was consistently met, the people organized a structured system to share the burden of supplying the fuel. Lots were cast to determine exactly when each family or individual would bring their share, as well as the specific amount required of them [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. This obligation was universal, applying to the priests, the Levites, and the general public alike. They were divided into groups, with each taking its turn to chop and deliver the supplies [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד].

This contribution was formally known as the wood offering, dedicated specifically for fueling the altar [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. The wood was brought to the Temple, described as the house of the fathers. This phrase highlights the Temple as a place filled with the holiness of the ancestors [רש״י], though it can also be understood simply as a reference to the physical building itself [אבן עזרא].

The deliveries were scheduled for fixed, appointed times based on the results of the lots, and this cycle repeated during the same period each year [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. The exact schedule, including the specific families and their assigned dates during months such as Nissan, Tammuz, Av, and Elul, is recorded by the Sages in Tractate Taanit [רב סעדיה גאון, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, the purpose of this organized effort was to kindle and maintain the flames [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ], fulfilling the Commandment to keep a fire burning on the altar of God.