B"H

Thursday, Sivan 19, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / June 8, 2023

This week's Parsha, Beha'alotcha (Numbers 8-12), begins with the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah (Candelabra) in the Holy Temple.  The Torah refers to the lights of the Holy Temple as, "Ner Tamid" - a "constant light". 

Although we do not have the Bet Hamikdash, the synagogue is called a "miniature Temple".  To remind us of the Menorah in the Holy Temple, the synagogue also has a "Ner Tamid", an eternal light, in front of the ark.

Candles and light play an important symbolic role in the Synagogue as well as in the Jewish home. 

Our sages say, "The candle of G-d is the soul of man."  Thus, at a Yartzeit, a candle is lit to honor the soul of the deceased.  Before Yom Kippur, we light a candle in honor of the souls of our loved ones who have deceased.

At a marriage ceremony, many have the custom that the bride and groom are led to the Chupah (marriage canopy) with candles. The candles represent the two souls which will be united in marriage. 

Shabbat and holidays are also ushered in with candles.  When one departs this world, we again light candles in honor of the soul which has departed.

Mitzvot are compared to a candle, while the Torah itself is compared to light.  For the Torah and mitzvot illuminate and enlighten one’s immediate surroundings and the world. 

The Midrash explains that while keeping the light of Torah and mitzvot is up to us, maintaining our light, which is our soul, is completely in the hands of G-d who gives and controls life.  Thus, G-d says, "My candle (Torah and mitzvot) is in your hands while your candle (soul) is in My hands. Take good care of My candle and I will take good care of yours!"

"A small amount of light pushes away much darkness," say our sages.  In the second chapter of Pirkei Avot, we are told, "Be as careful in the performance of a minor mitzvah as in a major one”, for the "light" of even a minor mitzvah is sufficient to dispel much darkness.

Before the days of electricity, Russia's main streets were lit by kerosene lamps.   Each night, a city employee would make the rounds and light 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 to feel spiritually enlightened and warmed by the light of one’s soul, one must also use their spiritual fire and make an effort to light up the candle/soul of another Jew by bringing them closer to G-d through Torah and Mitzvot."

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY