B"H
Thursday, Sivan 14, 5784 / June 20, 2024
Lesson from this week’s Parsha, Beha'alotcha - the third Parsha in the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar).
The Parsha begins: G-d spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to Aaron and say to him: “When you kindle the lamps of the Menorah,all seven wicks of the Menorah should be pointing towards the center, so they would cast their lights toward the center of the Menorah.”
The Menorah in the Temple had sevenlights; a center light and three branches on each side with a light on top of each for a total of seven lights. G-d commanded that when Aaron kindles the lights in the Menorah he should make sure that the six wicks on both sides of the center should be pointing toward the center. This way all seven lights are shining to the center of the menorah.
The Torah continues, “And Aaron did exactly as G-d commanded Moshe.” The great Torah commentator, Rashi, explains that the Torah is telling us this in praise of Aaron that he did exactlywhat G-d commanded Moshe.
Q. Why did G-d command that the lights point to the center? What is the lesson from this for us today, when there is no Temple?
A. The Torah is called light and the soul (Neshama) is also called light. The center light of the Menorah represents the light of the Torah. The other six lights represent our souls. Some Jews are closer to the center light (Torah) and some are further from the center. Some are on the left and some on the right. However, our sages say, “Although not everyone can be at the same spiritual level, the important thing is that our intent should be toward Heaven.” In other words, no matter how much or how little we do, we should have the right intentions and do it for G-d’s sake. This is our lesson from the lights pointing toward the center.
Q. What praise is it that Aaron did exactly as G-d told Moshe? Why would we think otherwise?
A. When one is given a newmitzvah they do it with enthusiasm, but when the mitzvah is performed day after day after day, it becomes routine and matter-of-fact and the enthusiasm is lost.
The Torah tells us the greatness of Aaron that he performed the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah day after day with the same enthusiasm and dedication, as on the first day, when he dedicated the Tabernacle. Aaron's performance of the mitzvah didn't change, every day was like the first time!
The lesson for us is the importance of performing mitzvot with enthusiasm, even when we have performed the same mitzvah day after day. For example, prayer, although we pray three times a day, yet, each time we come before G-d to pray it should be with the same dedication as the first time.
The same is with every mitzvah or the blessings we recite each day thanking G-d for all He gives us. We should show the same enthusiasm and the same gratefulness every day of our life.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.