Five lamps of the Menorah, then the incense, then the remaining two lamps of the Menorah – this is the order of service in the Beis Hamikdash. The incense in the middle of the service of the Menorah represents shining our connection to G-d in everything we do. The word for incense, “Ketores”, is related to the Aramaic word for bond or connection. The Menorah gives light, representing revelation. The juxtaposition of these two services teaches that we should reveal our essential connection to G-d in everything we do. Even when we are not praying but are busy with worldly activities, our Jewishness should always shine. We should also influence others to do this; influence ten Jews, which is a “holy congregation”. Influencing others is like Aharon the Kohen lighting the Menorah, influencing all seven types of Jews represented by the seven branches of the Menorah, and lighting them up until they become a flame that shines on its own. We are all instructed to be students of Aharon, loving people and bringing them close to the Torah.
(See talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe King Moshiach Shlita, Tetzaveh 2, 5752 (1992))
