28 May MTC Highlights: Parashat Behaalotecha
Rav Michael Sunshine - Rosh Beit Midrash
Many of us, if not all, have had times of great inspiration and connection with the Ribono Shel Olam – moments of truly feeling the dvekut, the embrace of Hashem. We relish those moments and while hoping they will continue, we also fear that we will not be able to maintain that depth of intensity. We find ourselves moving on with our lives and might end up only having memories of inspiration.
Our challenge is in keeping the flame lit but do we even dare to aspire to increase it.
As we learn about Aharon lighting the menorah in the inauguration of the Mishkan, we find a solution to our challenge.
In the first few words of our parsha, Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, “Speak unto Aharon and say to him: When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the Menorah.’ And Aharon did so: he lighted the lamps thereof so as to give light in front of the Menorah, as Hashem commanded Moshe.”
Rashi questions why the Torah uses the word l’ha’a lot/להעלות “to uplift the lamps” as opposed to “lehadlik/להדליק”, “to light”. Additionally, Rashi wonders why the Torah then says “Vayas ken Aharon/ויעש כן אהרן”, that Aharon did what he was told to do. Can’t we assume that Aharon also carried out what he was told?!
There are two hints to igniting our spiritual inspiration and maintaining and growing it in these few lines.
Rashi, in explaining the Torah’s use of the word “l’ha’alot/to uplift” says that the candles need to be lit until the flame rises steadily on its own.
Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin picks up on this and describes three paths of inspiration. One, is someone who starts off very high but as each day goes on, her enthusiasm diminishes. Another is able to maintain her same excitement in her dedication and inspiration each day, as it was her first.
There is a third person, Rav Zevin explains, whose spiritual flame builds and grows as she matures and experiences new things in life. This is the person of ‘beha’alotcha et hanerot’ – lighting the candles so the flame rises and grows on its own.
This, however, offers us a specific question. While it is interesting to describe these three different personalities, when one decides to be a person whose spiritual experiences continue to be lit and grow with me, she is faced with the challenge of how to do this.
Sometimes in life we look for new ways of doing things. We are enamored by the latest fads in exercise routines and diets, always searching for the new hack. We can start new routines in our lives only to find that after a few weeks, or even just a few days, we are back to our old ways.
Aharon Hakohen teaches us something important, and also so simple.
Vaya’as ken Aharon – Aharon was consistent. Each day he physically carried out the same task as the previous day. However, Aharon approached the lighting of the Menorah, though it was the same exact action as each previous day, he performed it as if it was the first time. Each day Aharon would approach the Menorah with excitement and light the candles. As he watched the flame catch on the wick and continue to spread and reach upward, he would feel the flame of his soul also ignite and the warmth of the Ribono Shel Olam fill him.
Perhaps a reason for our own spiritual connection with Hashem from day-to-day and week-to-week is that we don’t expect it to last. We don’t believe it is able to continue.
Rav Shlomo Wolbe says that if he were to be asked his credo, he would say “belief.” It’s one thing to say you believe in Gd, but it is even greater to say “I believe in the greatness of the human being … (who) is so great that he can stand before his Creator and speak to (Him). In Gd, Rav Wolbe says, all people believe but not all people believe in the greatness of the human being who “can attain a living relationship with His Creator … (and) that the Creator will reveal Himself to him and speak with him.
Aharon was consistent both in showing up and in understanding that each and everyday he lit the candles, he could light his own flame and build, maintain, and grow his relationship with Hashem.
Why? Because Ner Hashem Nishmat Adam, the candle of Gd is the soul of man (Mishlei 20:27)
May we all be blessed with lighting our own flames and to continue to nourish them and grow in our passion and connection with our Creator.
Student Reflection
Rebecca Shamah - Katz Yeshiva, FL - Hollywood, FL
There’s something especially meaningful about being asked to write for this week’s newsletter. As many people know, I’m unfortunately leaving seminary early, and getting the opportunity to write one of the final newsletters I’ll be part of this year feels incredibly emotional and meaningful to me.
Looking back on everything this year has given me, I realize how much growth can happen in the smallest moments, through the people around you, through Torah, and through experiences you never expected would change you so deeply.
This past week on Shavuot was one of those moments. There was something so powerful about staying up all night learning together and hearing girls from the seminary give their own shiurim and chaburot. Every girl spoke about something different, emunah, relationships, growth, identity, gratitude, halacha, and every perspective brought something unique into the room. It was amazing seeing how the Torah our teachers spent the entire year teaching us was now being expressed back outward through us. In a way, it felt like we were continuing the chain of Torah ourselves. The Torah and lessons our teachers spent the whole year giving over to us became something we were finally able to make our own and share back in our own way.
I think that idea connects beautifully to this week’s parsha, Parashat בהעלותך. At the beginning of the parsha, Aharon is commanded to light the menorah: “בהעלותך את הנרות.” Rashi explains that he would hold the flame there until it could rise on its own. That feels so similar to what our teachers have done for us this year. They didn’t just teach us Torah, they taught us how to carry it ourselves, how to internalize it, and eventually how to inspire others with it too.
At the same time, so much of my growth this year came from my experience working at the children’s home. I had the privilege of being with the group called Tromiot, girls between the ages of 6–11, which I truly believe are some of the most crucial years of childhood. Those are the years when children begin understanding themselves, building confidence, forming memories, and learning how deeply words and actions can affect them. Being part of their lives, even in small ways, felt like such a privilege. I went there every day hoping to give to them, support, attention, patience, love, and consistency, but somehow I think they ended up giving me just as much, if not more.
There’s a beautiful idea about the Hebrew word “נתן.” It reads the same forwards and backwards. Because real giving works both ways. When you truly give to someone else, you end up receiving too. And I think that’s exactly what this year has taught me. Whether it was through learning Torah all night with the girls in seminary or through spending time with the kids at the children’s home, I learned that growth comes most when you pour yourself into other people. Looking back now, I realize this year didn’t only teach me lessons in a classroom, it taught me about connection, responsibility, gratitude, and the kind of person I hope to continue becoming long after this year ends.
I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone at MTC. To all the girls who constantly kept me grounded, supported me, pushed me, encouraged me, and helped keep me in line through everything I took on this year, thank you. So much of who I became this year came from the people around me. And to the incredible staff, thank you for believing in me, guiding me, teaching me, and seeing potential in me even when I didn’t always see it in myself. The impact you all have had on me is something I will carry with me far beyond this year.
Shabbat Shalom!
