Rashi in His Own Words
במדבר ח', ב': ןֹרֲהַא לֶא רֵבַּדּתוֹרֵנַּה תַעְבִשׁ וּריִאָי הָרוֹנְמַּה יֵנְפּ לוּמ לֶא תֹרֵנַּה תֶא ˃ְת˄ֲעַהְבּ ויָלֵא ָתְּרַמָאְו:
רש"י ד"ה בהעלתך: למה נסמכה פרשת המנורה לפרשת הנשיאים ,לפי שכשראה אהרן חנוכת הנשיאים חלשה דעתו ,שלא היה עמהם בחנוכה ,לא הוא ולא שבטו ,אמר לו הקב"ה חייך ,שלך גדולה משלהם ,שאתה מדליק ומטיב את הנרות:
Bamidbar 8:2: Speak to Aharon and say to him, "When you light the candles (of the Menorah), the seven candles shall cast their light toward the face of the Menorah."
Rashi Heading: When you light: Why is the Torah portion dealing with the Menorah juxtaposed to the portion dealing with the princes of each tribe? When Aharon saw the dedications of the princes, he felt distressed over not joining them in this dedication; neither he nor his tribe. So, Hashem said to him, "By your life, yours is greater than theirs. You will light and prepare the lamps."
Synopsis
This week, we read the Torah portion of Beha'aloscho. The Parshah begins with Moshe's command to tell his brother Aharon to prepare and light the candles in the Menorah. Rashi cites the words "when you light" and explains the positioning of this Parshah. It immediately follows the story of the offerings brought by the twelve princes of the tribes to dedicate the Tabernacle altar. Rashi writes that Aharon was upset over not taking part in this dedication. Hashem "swore" to him that his lot was greater than theirs; he would light and prepare the lamps.
It is widespread for the Midrash to explain the reason for juxtaposing sections of the Torah. Rashi, on the other hand, does this very rarely. The reason is that whether a particular teaching of the Torah precedes or follows another does not concern Peshat. When Rashi explains the significance of the verses' positioning, he explains some difficulties, according to Peshat. What might be difficult to understand here without Rashi's help?
Aharon's command to light and prepare the Menorah's candles was to begin on the day that the Mishkan was put to use, the first day of Nissan. It seems that Hashem gave the command to do so before that day. He could not issue the commandment later that day, i.e., the same day the princes began bringing their dedications. In other words, the Torah waited twelve days to tell us of Aharon's command. Rashi explains that the reason for the delay was to console Aharon.
1. This is an expression designating an oath, i.e. G-d said that “I swear to you ...”
We need to understand several things
Why did Aharon find Hashem's words that "yours are greater than theirs" a consolation? Hashem never explained why they were more remarkable. Perhaps it was something obvious that Aharon could understand on his own. If that was the case, why was Aharon upset? Furthermore, Hashem commanded Aharon to perform many other services in the Tabernacle daily. That being the case, we need to understand what caused his distress.
He wasn't upset because the princes performed a job he did not participate in. Instead, his distress came from the fact that the prince's offerings served to dedicate the altar in the Mishkan. He had no role in the dedication of the altar. Therefore, Hashem told him that his preparation and lighting of the candles served to dedicate the Menorah. This inauguration was indeed more excellent than theirs. The Menorah was inside the Tabernacle building, while the altar was outside in the courtyard. Additionally, the offerings they brought were a one-time occurrence. Lighting the Menorah was performed every day.
Rashi's Explanation
This week's Parshah, Beha'aloscho, begins by telling us that Hashem told Moshe to "Speak to Aharon and say to him, 'When you light the candles, the seven candles shall cast their light toward the face of the Menorah.'" Rashi cites the words from the verse "When You Light" and explains them as follows: "Why is the portion of the Torah which deals with lighting the Menorah juxtaposed to the portion dealing with the princes of each tribe? When Aharon saw the dedications of the princes, he felt distressed over not joining them in this dedication; neither he nor his tribe. So, Hashem said, 'By your life, yours is greater than theirs. You will light and prepare the lamps.'"
Rashi explains the connection between the end of the last Torah portion, Naso, and the beginning of ours. Last week's Parshah concluded with the prince of each tribe bringing an offering to dedicate the altar of the new Tabernacle. Moshe Rabbeinu constructed the Tabernacle and dismantled it each day for seven days. On the eighth day, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the Mishkan, was erected and left standing. That is when they began using it on a regular, daily basis. For twelve consecutive days, the leader of each tribe brought offerings with which to dedicate the new altar. Aharon was upset because neither he nor his tribe participated in this dedication. Therefore, Hashem consoled him here. Hashem swore to him that preparing and lighting the Menorah at the beginning of our Parshah was more significant than whatever offerings the princes brought. Hence, the connection between the two Torah portions.
2. Our Parshah, Bamidbar 8:2.
We have often discussed that the Midrash explains the reason for juxtaposing one section of the Torah to another
Rashi, on the other hand, rarely does. The reason is apparent. In most cases, positioning one Torah section before or after another makes no difference, according to Peshat. It generally does not pose any difficulty understanding what the Torah is saying. There are several instances where the juxtaposition of different Torah areas creates a question in Peshat. Those are the cases that Rashi explains. This is one such instance.
Aharon's command to light the Menorah began on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The order to do so, which comes at the beginning of our Parshah, must have come beforehand. The latest it could have come was on Rosh Chodesh. The prince's dedications began on Rosh Chodesh and continued for twelve days. According to Peshat, the question is why the Torah waits to tell us of the command to light the Menorah. It does not mention it until after telling us of the sacrifices offered by each prince. Why did the Torah wait twelve days to inform us of Aharon's command to light the Menorah? Rashi explains this by telling us of Aharon's distress. His role in preparing and lighting the Menorah consoled him.
Difficulties in Understanding Rashi
Rashi writes that "yours (Aharon's) is greater than theirs (the princes'). Yet, Hashem does not explain why Aharon's was more significant. Perhaps it was due to an apparent reason that Aharon could understand on his own. If that is the case, why was he distressed?
The Ramban asks several questions that present difficulties in Rashi's comments. Why did only the service of lighting the Menorah console Aharon? Hashem commanded only he and his descendants to perform many other tasks in the Tabernacle – Temple. He was the one to offer the "Ketores – Incense" every day. Only Kohanim could offer all of the sacrifices in the Tabernacle. There was a unique meal offering (called the Minchas Chavitin), which he alone brought, half in the morning and half in the evening. More significant than all of the above is that he alone could fulfill the entire service of Yom Kippur, including entering the Holy of Holies. No one else at any time was permitted there.
Aside from Ramban's questions, there are other difficulties in understanding Rashi's comments. Rashi says that Aharon was disturbed. Neither he nor his tribe was included in the offerings to dedicate the Mizbe'ach. However, only he and his fellow Kohanim could offer all dedications upon the altar. This means that they were included exceptionally!
3. See the Ramban’s comments to our Parshah, Bamidbar 8:2.
4. In following generations, it could only be brought by the High Priest, i.e. Aharon’s successor.
5. This question is posed by the holy Ohr Hachaim.
The Explanation
Aharon was not disturbed because the princes of each tribe took part in a particular service he could not participate in. He found it distressing that he could not participate in the Tabernacle's dedication and inauguration. Therefore, Hashem told him he was also participating in the inauguration of the Mishkan. Also, "yours is (even) greater than theirs. You will light and prepare the lamps." They dedicated the altar. However, you dedicated the Menorah.
In Rashi's words, Aharon "felt distressed over not joining them in this dedication." That was what bothered him. Hashem comforted him, saying, "You will light and prepare the lamps." With this phrase, Hashem explained why "his role is greater than theirs."
- You: The leaders of each tribe did indeed bring the offerings for the dedication of the altar. However, only you, a Kohen, could offer these gifts to G-d as sacrifices.
- Will light and prepare: Aharon performed all the steps needed to dedicate the Menorah. Not only did he prepare the lamps, but he also lit them. This contrasts with the princes who could only perform the first stage of their dedication. All they could do was bring the offerings. They required the service of a Kohen to complete the service by actually offering it on the altar. Aharon could dedicate the Menorah from beginning to end; he could light and prepare the Menorah's lights.
- The lamps: Aharon inaugurated the Menorah. This was inside the Mishkan – Temple building. Additionally, this was a task that he (or one of his descendants) performed daily. They will always attend to the Menorah as long as there is either a Tabernacle or a Bais Hamikdosh. On the other hand, the princes dedicated the altar in the outside courtyard. Additionally, their dedication only took place once. The leader of each of the twelve tribes had only one chance to bring his gifts.
A Deeper Lesson from Rashi
The works of Chassidic philosophy explain that the spiritual candles of the Menorah are Jewish souls. This is in keeping with the words of Scripture that "man's soul is the Lord's lamp." The unification of all Jewish souls is called the Menorah. The seven lamps of the Menorah are parallel to the seven levels of G-dly service.
Aharon's job is to light the spiritual Menorah. He draws Divine vitality into every soul. In this manner, he lifts each one. He brings each Jew to love G-d.
That is the deeper reason that when Aharon saw that "when Aharon saw the dedications of the princes, he felt distressed." This knowledge caused his distress that this would be a one-time occurrence. He thought that the same might be true of the Menorah. That would mean he could not be there for those Jews who require extra inspiration. He thought the dedication of the "Menorah – Souls" would only take place once, which was very upsetting. If that were the case, it would only help those who left Egypt and received the Torah. They were already on a higher spiritual level.
Therefore, Hashem told him, "By your life, yours is greater than theirs. You will light and prepare the lamps." Hashem was telling him that he could spiritually be a positive influence on all Jews throughout all generations "by his life." By the source of all life, the essence of G-d transcends time, and space would not limit him to one time or even one generation. He will continue lighting each of our souls throughout all time.
(Adapted from a talk given on Shabbos Parshas Beha'aloscho 5725)
