Rabbi’s Message

Rabbi Natan Halevy

Beha’alotcha 5786, BSD

Strength, Light, and Peace

Shalom Uvracha.

The Psalmist declares:

“Hashem gives strength to His nation; Hashem blesses His nation with peace.”

What is this strength?

Our Sages explain that the strength referred to here is the strength of Torah.

Every person needs physical strength to navigate the demands of life. We need mental resilience to face uncertainty and disappointment. Most importantly, we need spiritual strength to maintain clarity and purpose amid the constant changes and challenges that confront us.

Many people believe their struggles are primarily the result of their circumstances. If only they could move somewhere else, change jobs, change communities, or alter their external situation, then everything would improve.

Yet our Sages teach:

“A person is not honored by his place; rather, he honors the place.”

True transformation does not begin with changing our surroundings. It begins by changing ourselves. Wherever we find ourselves, our task is to bring light into that place, to elevate it, and to become a shining example of how a Torah life can illuminate the world.

This concept is beautifully reflected in this week’s Parashah.

The Torah opens with Hashem’s command to Aharon to light the Menorah in the Mishkan. Significantly, the Torah does not simply say “to light” the candles. Instead it uses the word:

“Beha’alotcha” — “When you elevate.”

Rashi explains that Aharon was required to hold the flame to each wick until the candle could burn independently on its own.

This was more than a technical instruction. It contains a profound lesson about our purpose in life.

The verse states:

“The soul of man is the candle of Hashem.”

Every human being possesses a Divine spark. Every soul is a candle waiting to shine.

When we help another person—whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually—we are lighting their candle.

But true kindness is not merely providing temporary assistance. True kindness means helping another person become capable of standing on their own. Just as Aharon kindled each flame until it could burn independently, so too our goal is to empower others until they discover their own strength, their own light, and their own connection to Hashem.

A parent does this with a child.

A teacher does this with a student.

A rabbi does this with a congregant.

A friend does this with another friend.

We lift people up until they themselves become sources of light.

This idea is deeply connected to the spiritual significance of the Menorah.

The Menorah represents the light of Torah. Just as the Menorah illuminated the Sanctuary, Torah illuminates our lives.

In truth, every vessel and every service in the Temple reflected lofty spiritual realities in the higher worlds. When the Kohen performed the service below, spiritual energies were awakened above.

When Aharon lit the Menorah, he was not merely igniting oil and wicks. He was awakening the souls of Israel.

The souls of the Jewish people were elevated upward, drawing down greater Divine energy and blessing into the physical world. Through the light of the Menorah, heaven and earth became connected.

This is why the role of lighting the Menorah was so precious.

The Midrash tells us that when Aharon witnessed the inauguration offerings brought by the leaders of the tribes, he became distressed.

Each tribal leader had brought magnificent offerings to celebrate the dedication of the Mishkan.

Aharon looked on and felt left out.

His tribe had not participated in these offerings.

The Midrash says:

“When Aharon saw the dedication offerings of the princes, he became discouraged.”

Hashem then comforted him and said:

“By your life, yours is greater than theirs.”

Why?

Because their offerings were connected to a specific event, a single inauguration.

Aharon’s service was continuous.

Every morning and every evening he would light the Menorah.

Every day he would awaken souls.

Every day he would bring light into the world.

Every day he would elevate the Jewish people.

The message is powerful.

Building something is important.

Dedicating something is important.

But even greater is the daily, consistent effort of bringing light into another person’s life.

A single act may inspire.

Consistent acts transform.

This is why the spiritual power of the Menorah remains with us even after the destruction of the Temple.

We no longer possess the physical Menorah, yet we continue to kindle spiritual light.

Every teacher who inspires students.

Every parent who guides a child.

Every person who encourages a friend.

Every individual who shares Torah.

Every act of kindness.

Every word of encouragement.

All of these are acts of lighting the Menorah.

This idea becomes especially meaningful when the world seems dark.

We light the Chanukah Menorah specifically at night.

Why?

Because, as our Sages teach:

“What benefit is there to a candle in broad daylight?”

When everything is bright and clear, the need for a candle is less noticeable.

It is precisely during times of darkness that light becomes precious.

The last few years have reminded us how much we depend on one another. Small gestures that might seem insignificant can completely change someone’s day.

A phone call.

A text message.

An email.

A kind word.

A visit.

A smile.

A prayer.

These simple acts can rekindle a struggling soul.

And when one soul is illuminated, that light spreads to others.

The darkness begins to retreat.

The Zohar teaches that one illuminated soul has the power to illuminate many others.

As the saying goes:

“A little light dispels much darkness.”

This is the mission entrusted to every Jew.

To strengthen ourselves through Torah.

To illuminate our surroundings.

To elevate others.

To bring peace through light.

When we do so, we fulfill the verse with which we began:

“Hashem gives strength to His nation; Hashem blesses His nation with peace.”

May we merit to increase our Torah, increase our light, strengthen one another, and bring blessing, unity, and peace to the entire Jewish people.

Shabbat Shalom U’Mevorach.