B"H
Monday, Sivan 16, 5780 / June 8, 2020
This week's Parsha in the Diaspora is Bha'alotcha. The Parsha begins, "And G-d spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to Aaron and say to him: When you will light the lamps; to the front-middle of the candlestick shall the seven lamps give light".
This is the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah (Candelabra) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and Beth Hamikdash (Holy Temple). The Menorah had three branches on each side. On top of each branch, as well as on the front-middle branch was a cup that held the oil and wick, totaling seven lights. G-d commands Aaron to make sure that the six lighted wicks on both sides should point toward the center light of the Menorah.
Q. What is the significance of the lights of the menorah pointing toward the center light?
A. King Solomon says in Ecclesiastics, "A fool walks in darkness." Light represents knowledge and wisdom. The six branches of the Menorah represent different types of wisdom. The center branch represents the Torah and G-dly wisdom. The lights of the Menorah teach us that all other knowledge must point to the direction of G-d. True wisdom should point to the existence of G-d and bring a person closer to G-d and to fulfilling one’s purpose in this world. If the knowledge points in the opposite direction, it is not considered light, but darkness!
Q. Why is a candle lit during Shiva, Yartzeit, Yizkor etc.?
A. The candle symbolizes the soul of the departed one, as King Solomon states, "Ner Hashem Nishmat Adam" - "G-d's candle is the soul of man" (Ecclesiastics 20:27).
Q. Why is it customary to light candles at a Brit and other happy occasions?
A.King Solomon also states, "Ki Ner mitzvah V'Torah Or" - "A mitzvah is like a candle and Torah is light" (Ecclesiastics 6:23). Thus at the performance of certain mitzvot, we light candles.
Q.Why is it customary in many communities that the parents lead the bride and groom to the Chupah (marriage canopy) holding candles?
A. The numerical value of the word Ner (candle) is 250. Thus, two times Ner (two candles) is 500. This is the same numerical value as "Pru Urvu" - "be fruitful and multiply" – G-d’s blessing to a couple getting married.
Q. Why are candles lit in honor of Shabbat?
A. Light is also associated with "peace". The Shabbat candles are meant to bring peace into the home.
Q. Why is there a "Ner Tamid" – an eternal light which burns all the time - near the ark in the synagogue?
A. This symbolizes the light of the Menorah in the Holy Temple which burned each day.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY