B"H
Wednesday Sivan 13, 5777 / June 7, 2017
This week's Parsha, Beha'alotcha (Numbers 8-12), begins with the mitzvah given to Aaron, the High Priest, to light the Menorah (Candelabra) in the Tabernacle during the forty years in the desert. Later, when Jews entered into the Holy Land, it was lit by the Kohen in the Holy Temple.
Being that the lights of the Menorah were lit every day and burnt through the night, they are called, “Ner Tamid,” – “An everlasting light.”
Although we do not have the Temple today, the synagogue in which we pray is called a "miniature Temple." To remind us of the Menorah in the Holy Temple, the synagogue also has a "Ner Tamid", an eternal light, in front of the ark.
Candles and light play an important role in the synagogue as well as in the Jewish home. Our sages say, "The candle of G-d is the soul of man." Thus, at a Yartzeit, on the day when someone passed away, a candle is lit to honor the soul of the deceased. Before Yom Kippur, we light a candle in honor of the souls of our loved ones who are deceased, as the soul is compared to a candle.
At the marriage ceremony, many have the custom that the two people who lead the bride and the two who lead the groom to the Chupah (marriage canopy) hold lit candles. These candles represent the two souls which will be united in marriage. Shabbat and holidays are also ushered in with candles.
Mitzvot are compared to a candle, while the Torah itself is compared to light. The reason is because Torah and mitzvot illuminate and enlighten ones immediate surroundings and the world at large.
When lighting other candles from a lit candle, no matter how many candles one will light, they do not diminish anything from the light of the lit candle. So too, by helping others, especially spiritually, it doesn’t take anything away from the Neshama-light of the person offering the help.
The Midrash explains that while keeping the flame of Torah and mitzvot is up to us, maintaining our light (i.e. our soul lit), is completely in the hands of G-d who gives and controls life. G-d says, "My candle (Torah and mitzvot) is in your hands while your candle (soul) is in My hands. Take good care of My candle and I will take good care of yours!"
Before the days of electricity, Russia's main streets were lit by kerosene lamps. Each night, a city employee would make the rounds and light these lamps to illuminate the street.
"The function of a Jew is to be a lamp-lighter," said Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber of Lubavitch. "It is not enough to feel spiritually enlightened and connected; one must also use their spiritual fire and make an effort to light up the candle/soul of another Jew by bringing them closer to Torah and Mitzvot."
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY