Rising with the Lights
The opening verse states in our parsha states:
בהעלותך את הנרות אל מול פני המנורה יאירו שבעת הנרות.
When you kindle the lights, the seven lights shall face toward the center of the Menorah.[1]
The word the Torah uses for “kindling” in this verse is not the normal term “בהדליקך,” but rather “בהעלותך,” which literally means “to raise.” Rashi offers two explanations for this choice of word:
[This teaches us] that [the Kohen] must engage in kindling until the flame rises up on its own. Our Rabbis further expounded from here that there was a step in front of the Menorah upon which the Kohen would stand and kindle.
If we consider these two interpretations of the word “raising,” we note that they differ in terms of what, or who, is being raised.
- According to the first interpretation, the lights of the Menorah are being raised.
- According to the second interpretation, the Kohen is being raised as he ascends the step.
The problem is that there doesn’t seem to be any room for two interpretations in this matter, for the verse explicitly says “בהעלותך את הנרות — When you raise the lights.” Having made it perfectly clear that the object in the sentence is the lights, how is it possible to suggest that it in fact refers to the Kohen?
Rav Leib Gurwitz explains. There is no question that the object in the verse is the lights. However, as Chazal expound, the verse contains a further message. The Hebrew word “את” typically has no translation and serves merely to introduce an object. Frequently, however, this word also means “with.” In our verse, the Torah is stipulating that when the Kohen raises the lights, he too, must raise himself along with them![2] The Menorah, as we know, is a symbol of Torah, so that “raising the lights” refers to the process of engaging in Torah discourse. Here we are being told that when the lights of Torah go up, we, too must go up!
This is a very beautiful expression of the fundamental idea that Torah learning needs to translate into Torah living. For the lights to go up while we remain where we are is categorically unacceptable. Not only does this refer to our physically fulfilling the commandments of the Torah, but also to absorbing its values and implementing them in our lives. The verses throughout the Tanach, as well as in the Talmudic and midrashic literature, repeatedly call for high ethical standards in virtually every sphere of life: fear and love of Hashem, humility, modesty, honesty, kindness, generosity, patience, and forbearance. The goal with regard to these messages is not to notice them — they are impossible to miss! — but rather, to take note of them and see to it that they become absorbed in one’s system and reflected in one’s behavior, so that when the lights of Torah go up, so do we.
מתוך שבח והודאה להשי"ת
This week's divrei Torah are dedicated
in honor of the marriage of
Yitzchak Yoel Bernstein and Daniela Volodarskii
שיזכו לבנות בית נאמן בישראל!
[1] Bamidbar 8:2.
[2] Meorei Shearim.