This week's Torah portion begins with the command to light the Menorah, "And you shall command the children of Israel and they shall bring you pure olive oil for the light to keep a lamp burning constantly. It [the Menorah] should be prepared in the Tent of Meeting... from the evening until the morning."
These verses raise several questions: a) Generally, the Torah uses the expressions "Command the children of Israel," "Speak to the children of Israel," and the like, when conveying a command. What is the intent behind the expression, "And you shall command the children of Israel," which appears to imply that Moshe himself should be the originator of the command? b) Why must the oil be brought to Moshe when the Menorah was to be lit by Aharon? c) On the surface, the verse should say, "oil to illuminate," not "oil for the light." d) First, the verse speaks about "the light" (ma'or) in Hebrew and then, it mentions "a lamp" (ner). e) The first verse speaks of keeping "a lamp burning constantly," while the second verse mentions it burning "from the evening until the morning." f) The expression "to keep burning," (le'ha'alos, literally "to raise up,") is not ordinary. Seemingly, the verse should have said, "to kindle the light."
There is also a problematic dimension in the conclusion of the Torah portion which describes the fashioning of the incense altar. On the surface, it would have been more appropriate to mention this together with all the other vessels of the Sanctuary in Parshas Terumah. Based on the principle, "the beginning is rooted in the end," it follows that there is a connection between the two points and the explanation of the placement of the description of the incense altar is dependent on an understanding of the opening verse of the Torah portion.
The above difficulties can be resolved within the context of another concept. Parshas Tetzaveh possesses a unique dimension, being the only parshah in the Torah from the time Moshe was born onward in which Moshe's name is not mentioned. Our Rabbis explain that the reason for this omission is that Moshe had asked G-d, if He would not to forgive the Jews for the sin of the Golden Calf, to "Blot me out of Your book which You have written." Since "the curse of a wise man will be fulfilled even when it was uttered conditionally," it was in this parshah, that Moshe's "curse" was fulfilled. Although the Torah is associated with Moshe's name, as the prophet declares, "Remember the Torah of Moshe, My servant," and Moshe's name is constantly mentioned,[341] e.g., "And G-d spoke to Moshe," "And G-d said to Moshe," in this parshah, Moshe's name is omitted.
On the surface, the omission of Moshe's name appears to have negative connotations. Nevertheless, since everything is controlled by G-d Who is the essence of good and, "it is the nature of the good to do good," we can assume that even the fulfillment of Moshe's request to be blotted out from the Torah contains a positive dimension. Indeed, we are forced to say that it reflects a particularly elevated level.
To explain this concept: Although Moshe's name is not mentioned, the words, "And you shall command," refer to him. Furthermore, "And you" refers to the essence of Moshe's being, a level higher than that communicated by his name. For a person's name is not the essence of his being, it is an added dimension to his being which allows him to relate to others. Simply put, why does a person have a name? So that others can call him. In and of himself, he has no need for a name. Thus, before a person is given a name, the essence of a person exists. Therefore, even after the name is given, it represents an additional dimension, something other than the person's essence.[342]
"And You," on the other hand, reflects the essence of a person's being, the dimension that is totally at one with the essence of G-d. Thus, although the name Moshe reflects a very high level,[343] it is merely a name which is an addition to the essence of his being. In contrast, "And you" refers to the essence of his being, the dimension which transcends all names and relates to G-d's essence. Thus, by using the expression "And you" rather than Moshe's name, the Torah reveals a higher and deeper dimension of his being.
This explanation is, however, problematic. If "And you" represents a revelation of a higher dimension of Moshe's being, how can we possibly say that his request to be "blotted out" of the Torah is fulfilled in Parshas Tetzaveh?
This difficulty can be explained as follows: The essence is above all revelation, not only revelation to others, but also, revelation to oneself. It cannot by revealed in one's thoughts or feelings. The rationale for this is that every revelation has a particular medium of expression which defines -- and thus limits -- it. Since the essence is truly unlimited, there can be no medium which reveals it.[344]
Nevertheless, although on one hand, the essence does not come into revelation, that statement must be interpreted to mean that the essence never descends into the limits of the mediums of revelation. It does not mean that the essence never expresses itself. On the contrary, because it is the essence, it transcends both hiddenness and revelation and therefore, expresses itself -- not within the usual mediums and limits of revelation -- but as it is, on its essential level.[345]
Based on the above, we can appreciate how, by referring to him with the expression "And you," G-d "blotted Moshe out" of the Torah. Since "And you" refers to the essence, a level that transcends all revelation and names, Moshe -- i.e., the existence of Moshe within the context of limitation -- is blotted out.[346] It is only the essence of his being that is expressed. And it is through the mitzvah of the Menorah that this quality is revealed.
This concept allows for the resolution of the difficulties mentioned previously. However, there is a need to explain one further concept: Lighting the Menorah is representative of the totality of a Jew's service. He must kindle "the lamp of G-d which is the soul of man" with "the light of Torah and the candle of mitzvah." In this manner, his soul will shine with this light, true light, which will illuminate a person's soul, his body, and his portion in the world at large, shedding light on those individuals around one. Indeed, this light will illuminate the entire world, showing how the world is connected with G-dliness, how it is a dwelling for Him, blessed be He.[347]
The potential to carry out this service comes from Moshe, our teacher, as implied by the expressions, "And you shall command," "and they shall bring you." As explained above, "And you" refers to Moshe's essence. Tetzaveh, the Hebrew for "command," relates to the word tzavsah, meaning "connect." When the essence of Moshe connects to "the children of Israel," the potential is granted to illuminate the world. Furthermore, the oil is brought "for the light," i.e., we reveal the source of light and revelation, including the ultimate source, G-d's essence.
This is made possible by being "crushed," i.e., the service of bittul, "My soul will be as dust for all." This grants the potential to "open my heart for Your Torah," for a person to become one with the source of light present within the Torah, with G-d's essence.
This grants the potential "to keep a lamp burning constantly," for light to shine at all times, even within the context of the limitations of this world -- time and space. (The latter concept is alluded to by the phrase, "from the evening to the morning.")
This concept is relevant to every Jew, because every Jew possesses a spark of Moshe our teacher.[348] Thus, "And you" can refer to the essence of each Jew's individual soul, the dimension which transcends revelation and hiddenness and is united with G-d's essence. This potential, which can also be openly expressed, generates the possibility to carry out our service in all situations.
Based on the above, we can interpret the verses cited previously as follows: "And you" teaches that each person must carry out this service himself. It is not sufficient that he appoint an agent, he must be personally involved. Furthermore, that involvement must relate to the essence of his being, "And you."[349]
Tetzaveh refers, as explained above, to the concept of connection, establishing a bond with the worldly environment in which one lives. A person cannot live with his head in the heavens, preoccupied only with spiritual matters. He must involve himself with his environment. Indeed, since the essence of his being is involved in his service, the fact that he establishes a connection with his material environment will not be a hindrance. He will be able to express the highest levels of service on the lowest material plane.
This in turn must be communicated to "the children of Israel,"[350] i.e., one cannot remain content with one's own service. Instead, one must reach out to others in the spirit of "And you shall love your fellowman as yourself."
This will allow one "to take to you," to bring everything with which he comes in contact, into the connection with the essence of his being described above.
This service involves "olive oil," i.e., taking olives, a bitter food, and transforming it into a positive quality. A person should not content himself with activities that are pleasant and sweet. Instead, he must involve himself with the material aspects of the world, entities which must be transformed. Nevertheless, through his service, he produces "pure" oil, transforming even these lowly elements and refining them.
This is made possible because one is "crushed," i.e., one's nature is dominated by the service of bittul, mentioned previously.[351] And it is through this service, that one reaches "the light," the very source of light as described above.
This service will "keep a lamp burning constantly." In particular, "le'ha'alos," translated as "to keep burning," means to elevate. The above service elevates all the elements of our lowly world. Ner, (ÿÉ) the Hebrew for "lamp," is also significant for it is numerically equivalent to 250, the total number of the limbs of the body, plus our two hands.[352] These are the mediums through which a Jew elevates the material entities of this world.
This service continues "constantly," and moreover, it is carried out, "from the evening until the morning," i.e., it is drawn down into the limits of time.[353] This all comes of a result of the fundamental connection with the level "And you," the essence of a Jew, a potential which transcends all definition.
The above concepts also relate to the description of the incense altar in the conclusion of the parshah. One of the reasons why the incense altar is described at the conclusion of Parshas Tetzaveh and not together with the other vessels of the Sanctuary in Parshas Terumah is that the incense offering represented a unique service of a more elevated nature than the other services of the Sanctuary.
Indeed, its place in the Torah, at the conclusion of Parshas Tetzaveh, parallels its place in the order of the offerings in the Sanctuary, where it was the last of the offerings brought each day. It is last because it reflects the ultimate intent and the perfection of our service. Ketores, the Hebrew for incense also means "connection," reflecting the connection with G-d established through this sacrifice. In this vein, the Zohar uses the phrase b'chad ketirah esketrinah, "With one bond, I have connected myself." Thus, it reflects a process of essential connection parallel to that explained above in connection with the verse, "And you shall command."
To elaborate: The primary service in the Sanctuary and later, in the Beis HaMikdash, was the offering of sacrifices. The Hebrew for sacrifice, korban, is related to the word korov, meaning "close;" i.e., the sacrifices were a process of drawing close to G-d.
The ketoros, however, represents a deeper bond. Not only is one close to G-d, one establishes a bond of oneness with Him. Since the soul is enclothed within the body, there is room to think that oneness with G-d is not an imperative; though one should approach Him, there is no need to rise totally above the limits of our material world.
The potential to establish such a bond of oneness stems from the service of "And you shall command" described above, the connection with the essence of the soul. As long as we are speaking about a limited dimension of the soul -- i.e., any of the five names used to described it -- a person's entire existence will not be bound to G-d. When the connection is established with the essence of the soul, it pervades and permeates every aspect of one's being, including even one's material existence.
This is reflected in the ultimate expression of the ketores, the incense offering of Yom Kippur, the day on which the Jews as they exist within the context of this material world "resemble the ministering angels." On this day, the essence of the soul is revealed within a person's physical body.
In microcosm, this level is reflected in the essential connection established through prayer each day as reflected in the Baal Shem Tov's statement that, "It is an act of great Divine kindness that a person continues to exist after prayer."
The above concepts can be connected to the uniqueness of the present date, the Ninth of Adar. On that day, the Previous Rebbe arrived in America with the intent of establishing his permanent dwelling there and establishing America as the center for the service of "spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus outward." This reflects the connection between the essential light, "the wellsprings of Chassidus," with the lowest of all levels. Indeed, this date marked the beginning of the primary efforts to spread Chassidus and Yiddishkeit in the outer reaches of the world at large.
The potential for this service is generated by the Moshe of the generation, the Previous Rebbe, whose utter bittul (the level of "crushed" mentioned previously) establishes a connection with the essence of the light.
In particular, the present year, the 51st anniversary of the Previous Rebbe's arrival is significant. We have already completed the first year in the second Jubilee cycle. Reaching this landmark calls for an intensification of our efforts and activities to carry out the service begun on the Ninth of Adar. Despite all the activity which has been carried out until now, until the redemption actually comes and this world is revealed as G-d's dwelling, the place where His essence is expressed, more activity is required. Each person must do his part in this effort as reflected in the Rambam's statement that a person should always see himself as equally balanced between good and evil and the world as equally balanced between good and evil and with one good deed, he can bring salvation to himself and to the entire world.[354]
Notes:
- (Back to text) The constant mention of Moshe's name conforms with the principle, "It is a mitzvah to publicize those who perform mitzvos." Since Moshe sacrificed himself for the Torah, he is constantly given recognition.
- (Back to text) It is explained in Chassidus that a person's name is connected with the essence of his soul and it is through the medium of his name that his life-energy is transmitted from the essence of his soul to the soul as it exists within the body. Nevertheless, it only relates to the soul as it exists within the body. The soul itself as it exists before its enclothement within the body has no name at all. Even as the soul exists within the body, its essence transcends totally the concept of a name.
[To illustrate the concept in terms of a similar idea: There are five names for the soul: nefesh, ruach.... The essence of the soul, however, transcends all these names.]
- (Back to text) Our Sages relate that Moshe had ten names and Moshe is the most elevated among them.
- (Back to text) This level is alluded to by the word "And" (the letter vav in Hebrew). Were the Torah to have said merely "You" (Atoh in Hebrew), it would have reflected that dimension of the essence that comes into revelation. V'atoh, "And you," points to a level beyond "you," the essence as it transcends revelation entirely.
- (Back to text) This quality is also alluded to in the letter vav. The Zohar describes the vav as "the letter of truth," "the middle bolt which runs from one end to the other," existing on all levels in exactly the same manner without any change at all.
- (Back to text) Significantly, it was after the sin of the Golden Calf that Moshe made the request "Blot me out" which lead to the revelation of the unique level of "And you." As mentioned in the sichos of Parshas Mishpatim, the tremendous descent of that sin ultimately led to the Jews' reaching very high levels.
- (Back to text) In this manner, we reveal how each creation in the world has its source in G-d's essence, to quote the Rambam, "From the truth of His Being, all entities came into existence."
- (Back to text) In Tanya, the Alter Rebbe explains this concept within the context of our Sages' interpretation of the verse, "And now Israel, this is all G-d, your L-rd, asks of you, to fear." Our Sages explain that the expression "All that G-d asks," implies that it is a matter of little difficulty and question, "Is fear a slight matter?" They reply: "For Moshe, it is."
The Alter Rebbe, however, notes that the verse is addressed to "Israel," i.e., each and every Jew. He thus explains that since there is a spark of Moshe within the soul of every Jew, every Jew is capable of such service.
- (Back to text) This relates to the Chassidic teaching, that when a p'nimi, a person who involves himself with inner feeling, is occupied with a matter, his entire being is involved.
- (Back to text) The Hebrew term for this phrase, es bnei Yisrael, communicates a further concept. Es implies a status of secondary importance. When relating to "the children of Israel," each person must feel himself as es, of secondary importance.
- (Back to text) "Crushed" also refers to the unique process in which the oil for the Menorah was produced, a method which produced the choicest and finest oil.
- (Back to text) The right hand is associated with spirituality, and the left hand, with material entities. The inclusion of both hands points to the fusion of the spiritual and the material in our service.
- (Back to text) Furthermore, the order, "from the evening to the morning," is also significant. This is the order of creation, first night and then day.
- (Back to text) This is paralleled by the Alter Rebbe's citation (Boneh Yerushalayim ch. 4), of a passage in the Zohar (it is unclear exactly which passage he intended), that were one tzaddik to turn to G-d in complete teshuvah, Mashiach would come.
2nd Day of Adar, 5751