B"H

Tuesday, Adar1 7, 5782 / February 8, 2022

This week's Parsha, Tetzaveh, begins with G-d saying to Moshe, "And you shall command the Children of Israel, that they take to you pure olive oil, beaten for the light to cause the lamp to burn continually." This was a commandment that the Jewish people should contribute pure olive oil for the lighting of the menorah in the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

The oil used for the Menorah had to be pure olive oil processed ("beaten") especially for lighting the Menorah.  Only the first drop of oil of each olive was used for the lighting of the Menorah.

Many miracles were associated with the Menorah. The same amount of oil was placed in each of the seven cups to last through the night. However, a miracle took place each morning.  While six candles burnt out, one candle (Ner Ma'aravi) remained lit.  From this candle they lit the other candles.

The Midrash tells that Rabbi Chanina, who also served in the Beth Hamikdash related the following story: One year, the olives in Israel didn't produce enough oil. The Kohanim in the Holy Temple didn't have enough oil to fill the cups of the Menorah and in distress began to weep. A miracle occurred and although there was not sufficient oil, the candles burned even longer than before".

Our Rabbis observe that in the first verse of the Parsha we find a hint to the two Holy Temples and the third Temple which will be built with the coming of Moshiach. 

The numerical value of the words "beaten" (Katit), which the Torah uses to describe the process of producing the oil for the Menorah, is 830.  This alludes to the First Temple which stood 410 years and the Second Temple which lasted 420 years (totaling 830 years).

The words, "To cause the lamp to burn continuously," relates to the third Temple, when the lights of the Menorah will burn continuously, for it will stand forever.  May it be speedily in our days. Amen.

After the destruction of the Temples, the synagogue is considered a “miniature Temple.” In every synagogue there is a "Ner Tamid" a light which burns constantly, usually near the ark, where the Torahs are stored. This light commemorates the western lamp of the Menorah which burned continuously.

Although the Holy Temple in its physical form was destroyed, our home should be our personal Temple. It should be not only a physical home, but also a spiritual home in which G-d dwells, through our performance of mitzvot and the study of Torahin our home.

Jewish women and girls have been given the special mitzvah of carrying forth the lights of The Menorah, throughout the generations, by lighting the Shabbat candles at home and illuminating our personal Holy Temple and making it a G-dly home, shining brightly with the light of the Jewish spirit.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY