1. The Menorah: Structure and Symbolism
This week’s Torah and Tea focuses on the beginning of Parshas Behaloscha, where Hashem instructs Moshe to tell Aaron about lighting the menorah—the candelabra in the Mishkan. The menorah had seven lamps: one central stem, called the pnei hamenorah—the face of the menorah, and three branches on each side. All the side lamps were directed toward the center. The Torah emphasizes that the menorah was made from a single piece of gold, which was a significant challenge. Moshe himself could not figure out how to make it until Hashem intervened, showing that it had to be formed as one unified piece rather than assembled from separate parts.
This detail teaches an important lesson: although there are seven branches, representing different directions or types of people, they all originate from one source—one piece of gold. This unity means that even as we branch out in our own ways, we remain fundamentally connected. Each branch faces the center, symbolizing our shared purpose and origin.
2. The Dedication of the Mishkan and Its Sequence
The parsha’s placement raises a question: after describing the twelve-day dedication of the Mishkan by the tribal leaders in last week’s portion, why does the Torah now discuss Aaron’s lighting of the menorah? The dedication began on Rosh Chodesh Nisan after seven days of inauguration starting from 27 Adar. Each day for twelve days, a different tribal leader brought gifts for the Mishkan’s dedication—chanukas hamishkan. This is why during Chanukah we read this section; both events are dedications.
The Torah seems to present lighting the menorah as happening after these twelve days, but logically it should have already been part of the Mishkan service from its inauguration. This leads to an interesting Rashi: why is Aaron’s command about lighting placed here?
3. Aaron’s Exclusion and Hashem’s Consolation
Rashi explains that Aaron felt bad (chol shadayti) because neither he nor his tribe (Levi) participated in bringing gifts for the dedication; only leaders from other tribes did so. Although Aaron and his sons performed all other services in the Mishkan—offering korbanot and maintaining daily operations—they were not included in this public display.
Hashem responds with strong reassurance: Chayecha—“by your life,” yours is greater than theirs because you light and prepare the menorah. This comfort teaches us that Hashem cares about our feelings when serving Him; if someone feels left out or unappreciated, it can affect their enthusiasm and success in their service.
This dynamic is seen in many areas: often those doing essential work behind-the-scenes (like teachers or workers) don’t receive public recognition, while others get more visible credit. Yet their contribution is crucial—just as Aaron’s ongoing service was foundational even if less celebrated than a one-time gift.
4. Kohanim and Leviim: Lineage Clarified
A question arose about lineage: all Kohanim—priests—are Levites (Leviim), but not all Levites are Kohanim. Only Aaron and his sons (and later Pinchas by special gift) became Kohanim. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kehos, and Merari. Kehos had four sons: Amram (father of Moshe, Aaron, Miriam), Yitzhar, Chevron, and Uziel—all Levites but only descendants of Aaron became Kohanim.
Pinchas was a son of Elazar (Aaron’s son), but since he was born before Elazar became a Kohen, he wasn’t automatically a Kohen until Hashem granted him that status later on. Moshe remained a Levite but not a Kohen despite his leadership role.
The discussion also touched on why Levi didn’t participate in bringing gifts for dedication—it appears Hashem did not want them to do so at that time, though Rashi notes they could have volunteered but were not included by divine design.
5. The Deeper Lesson: Dedication and Renewal
The Rebbe draws out a deeper lesson from this episode about dedication (chanukah). When starting something new—a new Mishkan or any new endeavor—a unique energy descends from Hashem to give extra strength at this beginning stage. This is reflected in how children are given sweets when starting school or cheder to foster excitement for learning Torah.
The initial korbanot brought at the Mishkan’s dedication drew down an especially powerful spiritual energy (hamshacha) that would sustain future service there. The Rebbe notes Rashi’s language: “yours is greater than theirs,” using present tense rather than past tense (“because you light,” not “because you lit”) to emphasize ongoing impact rather than just a one-time event.
6. Lighting Up Others: The Menorah as Metaphor
The menorah also serves as a metaphor for each Jewish soul (Ner Hashem nishmas adam—“the lamp of Hashem is man’s soul”). When your soul is ignited with passion for Torah and mitzvos, you become like Hashem’s lamp in this world, revealing His presence through your actions.
If you encounter someone whose “lamp” isn’t shining visibly—if their spiritual spark seems hidden—you have a responsibility like Aaron to help ignite their flame too. Rashi’s use of Chayecha—“by your life”—suggests this must be personal and vital to you: just as all branches must be lit for the menorah to shine fully, so too every Jew’s soul must be kindled for our collective mission to succeed.
This means reaching out even when another person seems distant from spirituality because deep down every Jew has that ‘pintle Yid’—a spark waiting to be awakened with encouragement or sometimes even with a gentle ‘bump’, like striking flint to reveal fire within stone.
7. Universal Potential for Spiritual Service
The discussion concluded with an idea from Rambam: while technically only descendants of Aaron serve as Kohanim in the Beis Hamikdash, every Jew has potential for spiritual leadership (Mamleches Kohanim—“a kingdom of priests”) as stated at Matan Torah (Shavuos reading). Anyone who dedicates themselves can become part of this holy service on some level.
The Rebbe elaborates beautifully on these themes throughout his teachings, emphasizing both knowledge and heartfelt connection in serving Hashem together as one unified menorah.
8. Closing Thoughts and Questions
The shiur wrapped up with encouragement for further questions and reflection on these ideas about unity, dedication, lineage among Leviim and Kohanim, and our shared responsibility to ignite each other’s spiritual lights.