1. The Purpose of Lighting the Menorah
This week’s parsha is Behalo Yisrach—when you light the lamps. Hashem tells Aaron to light the menorah in the Mishkan—the Tabernacle. The menorah was a special lampstand with multiple branches, and one of the main services of the Kohen Gadol—High Priest, in this case Aaron, was to light it. There is a discussion whether Aaron lit it once or twice daily, but according to Rashi’s simple meaning, he lit it in the evening and it burned all night.
The Talmud asks: does Hashem need the light of the menorah? Clearly not—Hashem Himself provided light for the Jewish people as they traveled in the desert, with a pillar of fire leading them. So why command us to make and light a menorah? The answer is that the menorah’s purpose was not to illuminate for Hashem, but rather for its light to shine outward. In fact, the windows in the Beis Hamikdash—Holy Temple were constructed differently from normal windows: they were narrow on the inside and wide on the outside, so that the menorah’s light would spread outwards into the world.
This teaches us that our service is not about providing something Hashem lacks, but about bringing divine light into creation. The menorah symbolizes spreading spiritual illumination beyond ourselves.
2. The Construction and Symbolism of One Piece
The Torah emphasizes that the menorah had to be made from one solid piece of gold—mikshah achas. All its branches, cups, flowers, and ornaments were hammered out from a single chunk of gold. This was an extremely difficult task—so much so that Moshe Rabbeinu struggled with it until Hashem performed a miracle and it formed itself after being thrown into fire.
Why did Hashem insist on this? Why not allow separate pieces soldered together? The message is profound: all seven branches must come from one source. This represents unity among diversity—all Jews are fundamentally one entity, even though we branch out into different personalities and paths.
The menorah’s construction teaches us that no Jew is truly separate or secondary; we are all part of one people, stemming from one divine source.
3. The Seven Branches – Seven Types of Jews
The seven branches of the menorah represent seven general categories or pathways in serving Hashem. Some serve with love, some with awe, some through intellect or emotion—each Jew has their unique approach and spiritual temperament. There are those who are learned and righteous, others who barely know what it means to serve Hashem at all.
Aaron’s role was to kindle every branch—to ignite every Jewish soul regardless of their level. Every Jew possesses a soul likened to a lamp waiting to be lit. Aaron’s love for his people enabled him to reach each individual soul and awaken its inner flame until it could burn on its own.
This is also true for every generation: leaders like Aaron (and in our times, the Rebbe) seek out every Jew wherever they may be and help ignite their spiritual spark so they too can shine brightly as part of Am Yisroel.
4. Unity Within Diversity – Facing Toward the Center
Even though each branch is unique and distinct, all were directed toward the central stem of the menorah. This detail carries an important lesson: while we each have our individuality and personal path in serving Hashem, we must remain united at our core.
No matter how high or low someone perceives themselves spiritually—whether you feel like an accomplished branch or just beginning—you are still part of that same single piece of gold. No one is detached or less important; everyone belongs equally.
The fact that all flames face toward the center teaches us that true unity comes when our diverse talents and personalities are directed toward a shared purpose: serving Hashem together as one people.
5. Stories Illustrating Jewish Unity
This concept is illustrated by several stories:
- The Stones Under Yaakov’s Head: When Yaakov slept on his journey to Lavan, he placed stones around his head for protection. The Torah first refers to them as plural (“stones”) but then as singular (“stone”) after they miraculously fused into one. The Midrash explains this happened because each stone wanted Yaakov’s head upon it—a sign of privilege—so Hashem made them one stone so there would be no competition or jealousy among them.
- The Boat Analogy: If someone tries to drill a hole under their seat on a boat claiming “it’s my seat,” everyone else objects because if water comes in, everyone will sink together! Likewise, we cannot say “mind your own business”—if another Jew is missing something spiritually (like lighting Shabbos candles or putting on tefillin), we are responsible for each other because we are all “in the same boat.”
- The Man Asleep During a Fire: A person sleeping soundly while his house burns may resent being woken up from his pleasant dreams but will later thank whoever saved him from danger. Similarly, when we encourage another Jew toward mitzvos or Torah even if they resist at first, ultimately they will appreciate being awakened from spiritual slumber.
6. Pesach Sheni – The Power of Second Chances
The next section discusses Pesach Sheni—the Second Passover offering described later in this parsha. Some Jews were unable to bring the original Korban Pesach because they were ritually impure after contact with a corpse. They approached Moshe saying “Why should we lose out?”
The Rebbe explains that originally these people thought Pesach wasn’t truly a korban (offering) since in Egypt there was no altar or sprinkling blood on it as in later generations. But when Moshe asked Hashem on their behalf, Hashem established Pesach Sheni as an actual korban offering for those who missed out due to circumstances beyond their control.
This teaches us two things: First, there is always a second chance in Judaism—Peh sach Sheni means you can always return and reconnect even if you missed an opportunity before (even deliberately). Second, you must want to be included! These Jews didn’t passively accept exclusion but demanded inclusion: “Why should we lose out?”
7. Never Too Late – Lessons from Rabbi Akiva
Peh sach Sheni reminds us never to give up hope or think “it’s too late.” Even if someone has lived many years without Torah observance or feels set in their ways, there is always time for change and growth if you truly desire it.
A classic example is Rabbi Akiva who began learning Torah at age 40 after seeing how dripping water could carve stone over time. He reasoned that if soft water could make an impression on hard rock through persistence, surely Torah could penetrate his heart as well! Rabbi Akiva went on to become one of Judaism’s greatest sages whose teachings form much of our Oral Torah today.
No matter your background or past choices, Peh sach Sheni teaches there are always new opportunities for connection and growth within Judaism.
8. Taking Responsibility for Each Other’s Spiritual Growth
The overall message from these teachings is clear: We are all interconnected parts of one whole. Klal Yisroel – the Jewish people – makes up one menorah carved from a single piece.
This unity obligates us not only to care about our own spiritual lives but also those around us. Aaron HaKohen taught by example: seeking out every soul and helping ignite its unique flame until it shines independently.
If you see another Jew struggling spiritually, “minding your own business” isn’t enough. “We’re all in this together,” – if even one branch isn’t kindled, the menorah isn’t complete.
This sense of responsibility, persistence, and belief in second chances defines what it means to live with Toras Chaim–a living Torah guiding our lives every day.