This week's parsha
Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.
The Menorah's Dual Message
This week's Torah portion begins with the mitzvah of kindling the menorah in the Tabernacle (and eventually, the Holy Temple) every afternoon.
Light is a metaphor for the Torah, which sheds light in a world of darkness, illuminating it with G-dly wisdom. In a world where the divine truth is concealed, the Torah is a beacon of light which illuminates the path to a spiritual, meaningful and fulfilling life.
The menorah is also a symbol of Jewish unity. Every Jewish soul is unique, possessing a distinctive nature and temperament. This is because each individual soul emanates from a unique combination of G-d's seven attributes: kindness, discipline, harmony, perseverance, humility, attachment and royalty. The seven branches of the golden menorah symbolize the idea that, although we may express ourselves differently and possess different dispositions, we all share the same essence, an essence of pure gold. In fact, the menorah wasn't a combination of parts which were screwed -- or even welded -- together; rather, it was a single golden slab which was hammered into the shape of a menorah. Not only are we all of the same substance, but we are actually a part of a single non-composite entity, one large menorah.
Light is a metaphor for the Torah, which sheds light in a world of darkness, illuminating it with G-dly wisdom. In a world where the divine truth is concealed, the Torah is a beacon of light which illuminates the path to a spiritual, meaningful and fulfilling life.
The menorah is also a symbol of Jewish unity. Every Jewish soul is unique, possessing a distinctive nature and temperament. This is because each individual soul emanates from a unique combination of G-d's seven attributes: kindness, discipline, harmony, perseverance, humility, attachment and royalty. The seven branches of the golden menorah symbolize the idea that, although we may express ourselves differently and possess different dispositions, we all share the same essence, an essence of pure gold. In fact, the menorah wasn't a combination of parts which were screwed -- or even welded -- together; rather, it was a single golden slab which was hammered into the shape of a menorah. Not only are we all of the same substance, but we are actually a part of a single non-composite entity, one large menorah.
The Wood of Folly
Alone with G-d on Mount Sinai, Moses learned the details of building the Sanctuary, the portable Temple described in this week’s Torah reading. This was to be the spiritual center for the Jews, and eventually, for the whole world: the place where the shechinah, the presence of G-d, would be revealed.
The Sanctuary was constructed of heavy wooden planks standing upright. Each plank was supported at its base by two heavy blocks of silver. The plank slotted into these. These upright planks were overlaid with gold and securely fastened together. They formed the walls of the Sanctuary, and layers of curtaining formed the roof.
Inside the Sanctuary were the menorah, a table and an altar for incense, all made of gold. Behind a beautifully embroidered curtain was the Holy of Holies, containing the golden ark. Inside this were the sapphire tablets with the Ten Commandments engraved on them, which Moses brought down from Sinai.
The Sanctuary built by Moses existed long ago, and, in the form of the Temple, will again be rebuilt in Jerusalem. But there is also an inner Sanctuary, within the heart of every man and woman. The details of the physical Sanctuary described in our Parshah help us understand how we can build this inner Sanctuary, so that the presence of G-d should be revealed there too, within us.
The Sanctuary was constructed of heavy wooden planks standing upright. Each plank was supported at its base by two heavy blocks of silver. The plank slotted into these. These upright planks were overlaid with gold and securely fastened together. They formed the walls of the Sanctuary, and layers of curtaining formed the roof.
Inside the Sanctuary were the menorah, a table and an altar for incense, all made of gold. Behind a beautifully embroidered curtain was the Holy of Holies, containing the golden ark. Inside this were the sapphire tablets with the Ten Commandments engraved on them, which Moses brought down from Sinai.
The Sanctuary built by Moses existed long ago, and, in the form of the Temple, will again be rebuilt in Jerusalem. But there is also an inner Sanctuary, within the heart of every man and woman. The details of the physical Sanctuary described in our Parshah help us understand how we can build this inner Sanctuary, so that the presence of G-d should be revealed there too, within us.
Creating Civilization
What is the purpose of the commandments? One explanation in the teachings of the Sages is: to refine people. The Commandments of the Torah are intended to have a civilizing effect on the Jewish people.
Chassidic teachings explain that there are two aspects to our inner personality. One is our Divine Soul, a spiritual "spark" within us which is described as a portion of G-dliness. This comes into the world with a special task, and the Torah and its commandments are the instructions of how to fulfill that task.
In order to understand the nature of this task, let us consider the second feature of our inner world: the Animal Soul. This is the force within us which wants to live, and to eat, and to possess... Guided by the Torah, we have to make the attempt to purify and refine the Animal Soul. This means, in effect, that we have to try to control and even transform the basic characteristics of our human (and sometimes all too human) nature.
If a person observes the directives of the Torah, he or she experiences a program of training and improvement of character.
For example, let us consider the law of Kashrut (eating kosher). This week's Torah reading includes the law that we should separate milk and meat. Quite rightly, this and other aspects of Kashrut are often thought of as developing the virtue of self-control, and also of not taking anything for granted. "Is it kosher?" is the question one asks before taking a mouthful. Of, course, the effect of such a law is far broader than simply our attitude to food. We gradually learn to ask about everything in life: "Is it kosher?"
Chassidic teachings explain that there are two aspects to our inner personality. One is our Divine Soul, a spiritual "spark" within us which is described as a portion of G-dliness. This comes into the world with a special task, and the Torah and its commandments are the instructions of how to fulfill that task.
In order to understand the nature of this task, let us consider the second feature of our inner world: the Animal Soul. This is the force within us which wants to live, and to eat, and to possess... Guided by the Torah, we have to make the attempt to purify and refine the Animal Soul. This means, in effect, that we have to try to control and even transform the basic characteristics of our human (and sometimes all too human) nature.
If a person observes the directives of the Torah, he or she experiences a program of training and improvement of character.
For example, let us consider the law of Kashrut (eating kosher). This week's Torah reading includes the law that we should separate milk and meat. Quite rightly, this and other aspects of Kashrut are often thought of as developing the virtue of self-control, and also of not taking anything for granted. "Is it kosher?" is the question one asks before taking a mouthful. Of, course, the effect of such a law is far broader than simply our attitude to food. We gradually learn to ask about everything in life: "Is it kosher?"
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