B"H

Monday, Adar 4, 5778 / February 19, 2018

 

This week’s Parsha Tetzaveh begins with G-d telling Moshe to command the people to bring pure olive oil for the lighting of the Menorah (candelabra) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and Temple.

 

The oil used for the Menorah had to be pure olive oil, processed especially for lighting the Menorah.  While olive oil was used in the Temple for other purposes, the oil used for the Menorah had to be of the highest quality.  Only the first drop of oil from each olive qualified for lighting the Menorah. 

 

The Talmudic sage Rabbi Tanchuma said, “I served in the Holy Temple and miracles were associated with the Menorah.”

 

Rabbi Chanina, who also served in the Holy Temple relates the following story: “One year the olives in Israel didn’t produce enough oil.  The Kohanim (priests) in the Temple didn’t have enough oil to fill the cups of the Menorah and in their great distress they began to weep.  A miracle occurred and although there was not sufficient oil, the candles burned longer than usual.”     

 

Q. When was the Menorah lit each day?

 

A. The Kohen lit the Menorah each afternoon and the Menorah burned throughout the night.

 

Q.  Was the purpose of the lights of the Menorah to bring light in the Temple?

 

A. G-dliness and Holiness are called light.  Our sages explain that the Menorah represents, amongst other things, the light and glory of G-d. Inside the Temple G-d’s glory was felt all the time. The lights of the Menorah in the Temple were not for internal light, but for external light.  The purpose of the Menorah was that the light of the Temple should spread outside and illuminate the world. For this purpose the windows in the Temple were made narrow on the inside and wider on the outside, so that the light of the Temple shall spread forth to the outside.

 

Q.  Why are candles lit on a yartzeit (the day of someone’s passing) or at a shiva?

 

A.The Neshama (soul) is compared to a candle, as it is written; “The candle of G-d is the soul of man” (Proverbs 20). Thus, we light candles in honor of the Neshama.

 

Q. Why do many have the custom to escort bride and groom to the Chupah with candles?

 

A. The numerical value of G-d’s blessing to Adam and Eve, “Pru Urvu,” to be fruitful and multiply, is 500.  The numerical value of Ner (candle) is 250; two candles represent the number 500.  Thus, the two candles represent our blessing to the bride and groom to be fruitful and multiply and be blessed with many children.

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY, HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY