This week’s parsha has quite a few interesting storylines.

The parsha opens with the commandment of Aharon (Aaron), as Kohen Gadol (High Priest) to light the Menorah in the Mishkan (Temple) every day. The parsha’s name is taken from the command - Behaalotecha means “When you light” or literally, “when you cause to ascend.” Upward movement is very symbolic in Judaism. For example, no matter where geographically you’re coming from, when you go to Israel you are making aliyah, or ascending. And no matter where you go geographically when you leave Israel, you are making yeridah, or descending.

Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, clarifies that “causing light to ascend” means you kindle the light until the flame is able to remain alight by itself.

Obviously this command does refer to the literal lighting of the Menorah, but the symbolic idea of raising someone or something up until capable to hold themself / itself up is really nice! It also definitely tracks with what we know about Aharon HaKohen, Aaron the Priest. In Pirkey Avot, we learn a famous quote — that a person should be like the followers or students of Aharon, “…loving peace, pursuing peace. Loving all mankind and bringing them closer to Torah” - “…אוֹהֵב שָׁלוֹם וְרוֹדֵף שָׁלוֹם, אוֹהֵב אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת וּמְקָרְבָן לַתּוֹרָה”

The Torah is often likened to the source fire that lights the sparks within us all, so we can connect Aharon’s lighting of the Menorah to his interactions with all of mankind. We should all hope to encourage or brighten anyone we interact with, but also keep in mind to give them the tools to keep themselves encouraged once they’re on their own.

In this quote from Pirkey Avot, Aharon is described as loving mankind, and *then* bringing them closer to Torah. Maybe you have to love someone to want to share Torah with them? Or maybe unconditional love must precede any sort of agenda (no matter the purity of that agenda)? And the first part of that sentence, about Aharon loving and pursuing peace — you don’t desire and pursue peace in a vacuum. What would push a person to pursue peace and spread Torah? Loving peace, and loving mankind.

It’s also interesting to note that Aharon brings the people close to the Torah, not the Torah to the people. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson taught that just because you can’t teach the entire Torah overnight, it doesn’t mean you should water down concepts.

When we still had the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple, the Menorah would be lit every day. But like any candle that is burned, it makes a mess. So every day, a Kohen (priest) had to clean out and prepare the Menorah, but the actual kindling of the light could be done by anyone. While Aharon was alive, he would light it, but after his death, anyone could light the Menorah. How does this parallel with “lighting” our fellow humans? Ordinary people like you and me can share words (or podcasts!) of Torah with anyone. Just as an ordinary person could light the Menorah if it was prepared by a Kohen, ordinary people can also encourage the growth of others if prepared and secure in our own knowledge (or if under the guidance of someone who is!)

It’s a common expression to say that someone’s face, “lights up” when they’re happy or talking about something that gives them joy. If English isn’t your native language, you may wonder why someone’s face “lighting up” is good. Does it mean suddenly their eyes are suddenly emanating light? Or that you see a physical brightness? No, it’s a figure of speech! But I think you can imagine what kind of a reaction I’m referring to. 

Cont’d… For full text, email me at [email protected] or join my email list here. opening theme: reCreation by airtone (c) copyright 2019 Licensed