B"H

Thursday, Adar 9, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / March 2, 2023

This week’s Parsha is Tetzaveh, in the Book of Exodus. The Parsha begins with the mitzvah of lighting The Menorah (candelabra) in the Holy Temple. The oil used for the Menorah was the purest of pure olive oil. Only the first drop of each of the best olives was used for lighting The Menorah. One can only imagine how many olives were used to produce the oil for The Menorah each day.

The Menorah represents the soul, as it says, “G-d’s candle is the soul of man.” The soul at its core is always pure. External forces may diminish the effect it has on the body, but in essence it is as pure as pure can be. The lighting of The Menorah symbolizes the lighting of the Jewish soul. Thus, the lighting of The Menorah had to be with the purest of oil.  

Q.  Moshe’s name appears in every Parsha in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, except in this week’s Parsha, Tetzaveh. Why is Moshe’s name is not mentioned in this Parsha?

A.   The reason is that one of the attributes that made Moshe so special was his love for every single Jew.  When the Jewish people sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf, Moshe pleaded with G-d for their forgiveness.  He said to G-d, "If you don't forgive the people of Israel, then erase me from The Book (Torah) that You wrote."

G-d listened to Moshe and forgave the Jewish people.  He also listened to Moshe's request, “Erase me from The Book that You wrote.”  So, while G-d did forgive the people, Moshe does not appear in this week's Parsha, Tetzaveh.  By omitting Moshe’s name G-d showed all future generations the great love Moshe had for the Jewish people.

Q.   Why was Parshat Tetzaveh chosen to have Moshe’s name omitted?

A.   Parshat Tetzaveh is usually read on the Shabbat before, or after, the 7th of Adar, the day of Moshe’s passing away from this world.  By not mentioning his name in Parshat Tetzaveh, The Torah alludes also to his passing.

Q.  Purim is next week, Monday night and Tuesday. On Purim we listen to The Megilah reading and we have to listen to each word. Yet, during The Megilah reading on Purim, there are times when lots of noise is made by gragers, banging etc. Why?

A. WhenHaman's name is mentioned during The Megilah reading, we make noise. The reason is that Haman, who wanted to annihilate all the Jews was a descendant of Amalek, who had the same intentions one thousand years before Haman.

Concerning Amalek, The Torah commands us, "You must erase the remembrance of Amalek." Thus, when Haman’s name is mentioned, we "erase" and blot out his name by making noise.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY