B"H
Tuesday, Sivan 14, 5781 / May 25, 2021
This week's Parsha, Beha'alotchabegins with G-d's instructions to Aaron concerning the lighting of the Menorah, which was performed daily in the Holy Temple.
However, instead of using the word "Lehadlik" which means to "kindle," the Torah uses the word "Beha'alotcha" which literally means to "go up." One of the many answers our sages give is that Aaron had to physically go upseveral steps in order to light the Menorah.
Although the Menorah was not very high and he would have been able to clean and kindle the Menorah standing on the ground, Aaron was wearing a plate on his forehead with G-d's name engraved on it. Therefore, he was not permitted to lift his hands higher than the golden plate. Therefore, he had to go up a few steps to clean and kindle the Menorah.
Another explanation is that the lights of the Menorah represent the Jewish soul – the Neshama, which is compared to a candle. The flame of the candle is continually drawn upward. So too, the Neshama – the Jewish soul - is drawn "upward" to be connected with G-d, its creator. Aaron's mission, as High Priest, was to lift-upthe Jewish souls so that they will strive to connect to G-d, just as the flame of the candle continuously strives to go upward.
"Be of the disciples of Aaron," says Hillel the Elder in Pirkei Avot. "Love peace, and pursue peace, be one who loves his fellow and draws them near to the Torah."
The Zohar asks why, when some people study Torah or pray, do we sway to and fro?
The Zohar replies, "The Jewish soul is derived from G-d's Holy fire. When it studies Torah or is involved in prayer, the soul is connected to its source and like the fire of a candle that constantly flickers back and forth, the soul, which is G-d's candle, also moves.
The Midrash tells us that G-d’s commandment to kindle the menorah in the Temple surprised the Jewish people. They said, "Is there any darkness before G-d that He needs ourlight?" G-d replied, "It is not for My benefit that I command you to kindle the light in the Temple. It is for yourbenefit." The Menorah in the Holy Temple brought forth spiritual and holy light to the Jewish nation and to the entire world.
Before the days of electricity, Russia's main streets were lit by kerosene lamps. Each night, a city employee made the rounds and lit 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 for one to feel spiritually enlightened, warm and elevated. The name of this week’s Parsha, Beha’alotcha, teaches us that one must use their own spiritual fire and enthusiasm, to make an effort to kindle the candle/soul of another Jew by bringing them also closer to G-d and His Torah and Mitzvot."
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND WONDERFUL DAY