Welcome to the short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar (and Daily Aliya).
Please consider forwarding this to others, and I hope you enjoy... Shabbat
Shalom.
Dvar Torah for Beha’alotcha 1st Aliya
Parshat Beha’alotcha begins with G-d instructing Aaron to light the Menorah
with the candles facing its center (8:2). Rashi explains that Aaron felt
dejected because his tribe was not listed in the preceding list of tribe
offerings. G-d was addressing his disappointment by giving Aaron a task
that is more eternal than a one-time offering. However, why would G-d need
anyone’s help to light the Menorah? The Midrash explains that this was to
elevate the Jewish nation as a whole, but how does this act of Aaron’s
lighting the Menorah satisfy Aaron’s feelings and elevate an entire people?
Rabbi Henach Leibowitz answers by describing two levels of chesed
(kindness). The basic level of kindness is compassion for the plight of
others, while the higher level stems from a feeling of love. The difference
lies in the way others receive these acts. While giving with kindness may
leave the recipient feeling indebted, giving fueled by love makes the
recipient feel loved, wanted, and appreciated. When G-d asked Aaron to
light the Menorah, He was making Aaron a partner. Giving and helping from a
place of love and acceptance has the potential to change not only our
interactions, but the world as well.
Shlomo Ressler
Quotation of the week:
"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be."
Welcome to the short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar (and Daily Aliya).
Please consider forwarding this to others, and I hope you enjoy... Shabbat
Shalom.
_______________________________________________
Dvar Torah for Beha’alotcha 1st Aliya
Parshat Beha’alotcha begins with G-d instructing Aaron to light the Menorah
with the candles facing its center (8:2). Rashi explains that Aaron felt
dejected because his tribe was not listed in the preceding list of tribe
offerings. G-d was addressing his disappointment by giving Aaron a task
that is more eternal than a one-time offering. However, why would G-d need
anyone’s help to light the Menorah? The Midrash explains that this was to
elevate the Jewish nation as a whole, but how does this act of Aaron’s
lighting the Menorah satisfy Aaron’s feelings and elevate an entire people?
Rabbi Henach Leibowitz answers by describing two levels of chesed
(kindness). The basic level of kindness is compassion for the plight of
others, while the higher level stems from a feeling of love. The difference
lies in the way others receive these acts. While giving with kindness may
leave the recipient feeling indebted, giving fueled by love makes the
recipient feel loved, wanted, and appreciated. When G-d asked Aaron to
light the Menorah, He was making Aaron a partner. Giving and helping from a
place of love and acceptance has the potential to change not only our
interactions, but the world as well.
Shlomo Ressler
_____________________________________________
Quotation of the week:
"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be."