B"H
Thursday, Adar1- 13, 5784 / February 22, 2024
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Tetzaveh, G-d commands Moshe about the lighting of the Menorah (candelabra) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Holy Temple.
The Menorah had seven lights - one in the center and three on each side. The entire Menorah was made of one piece of pure gold. Although G-d told Moshe how the Menorah should look, Moshe couldn’t do it. It had so much detail and it all had to be carved out of one piece of gold. G-d then told Moshe to take the gold and throw it into the fire. He did this and out came a beautiful Menorah.
Q.What is the significance that the Menorah had to be from one piece?
A. The Neshama (soul) is compared to a candle, as it is written; “The candle of G-d is the soul of man” (Proverbs 20). The seven lights of the Menorah in the Holy Temple represent the souls of the Jewish nation. Just as the Menorah had to be from one piece, so too, the entire Jewish people have to feel as one entity.
The Torah is also compared to light. The Torah tells us that when the Jewish people came to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, they were like one person. Unity amongst the Jewish people was a pre-condition for getting the Torah.
Q. Why is the soul compared to the light of a candle?
A. Just as the light of a candle continuously moves upward striving to go higher, so too, the soul continuously strives, and as a result each Jew attempts to go higher and connect with G-d.
Q. In synagogue, in front of the ark, there is a light called, “Ner Tamid” – “Permanent light.” Why?
A. In this week’s Parsha, G-d commands Moshe that the light in the Menorah should be a “Ner Tamid” – a constant light. The lights in the Holy Temple were lit each day and burned throughout the night. The “Ner Tamid” in the synagogue is in remembrance of the Ner Tamid in the Temple.
Q. Why are mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of Tzedakah (charity) compared to a candle?
A. The Midrash explains the similarity and its lesson to us, as follows: "When a person wants to give charity, the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) comes to him and says, 'Why give away of your possession to others, leaving less for yourself?
"The truth is," says the Midrash, "Mitzvot are like candles. One candle can share its fire and light many candles, yet, its own light doesn't diminish in the least." The same applies to performing Mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of charity. Helping others doesn't diminish one's own wealth. In fact, the opposite is true, by giving Tzedakah one merits G-d's blessings and receives much more in return.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RETURNED NOW.