Our tradition often asks us to consider God as a source of light. “God is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27) and “a person’s spirit is the lamp of God” (Proverbs 20) remind us that God radiates light that we are drawn to; it illuminates our lives and enhances who we are. This week, the tables are turned a bit and we, human beings, are seen as vessels of light. We are the candles this week.
Parshat Beha’alotekha begins by describing the menorah, the lamp, that will shine amidst the Israelites. Moshe is commanded by God to instruct Aharon, the High Priest, to light the seven-branched menorah which will illuminate the ritual structure of the people. The commentators take this opportunity to talk about light, but instead of using the common trope of God’s light, they understand it to be about the light that each of us as humans bring to the world.
The word “beha’alotekha” means “when you raise up,” speaking about the kindling of lamps. Rashi teaches that when we are in the role of lamplighter, we must hold the flame to another wick until that flame arises of its own accord. Further, the commentaries assert that lighting another’s wick doesn’t diminish the first flame. Sharing fire with another only increases light. Rashi’s teaching implies that as a lamplighter, one who possesses light and can spread it to others, we might be required to go out of our way. The other wick doesn’t come to us; if we bear light, if we are able to give someone else light, we must go to them.
In this world that could use so much light, some of us have light we could share, that we could spread to others, that we could use to lift up others. The fight for racial equality is not a new battle, but every moment to engage in this pursuit of justice and righteousness is a new moment. Every moment offers a new opportunity that we can attempt to use our light and spread it to others. (This coming Tuesday morning, at 8:46 a.m., I’ll be joining many others from MICAH - masked and socially distant - at City Hall Plaza for a public action on racial equality and justice. Please join me.)
We are reminded in Psalm 27 ‘Or zarua latzaddik ul’yishrei lev simchah’ - light is stored for the righteous, joy for the honorable. The path of righteousness is deeply connected to shining light. The path of righteousness is paved by the light that we shine. Its road is brightened by sharing our light with others. We have a choice to help pave that road. I pray that the coming days are full of shining light on inequality and injustice, shining light on goodness in the world.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Sarit
We will NOT be having services at shul this Shabbat. I hope you will join Abe and me for Hachanah l’Shabbat (Preparing for Shabbat at 6:30PM this evening), and for Havdallah (Saturday at 9:15PM). Click those links to connect on Zoom!
Please click here for a teaching I’ve prepared on this week’s parashah.
Please check out our website for some Shabbat-related learning resources.
