Weekly Dvar Torah: Until the Flame Burns on Its Own

When the twelve tribal princes inaugurated the Mishkan, each brought generous offerings representing his tribe. For twelve days there were sacrifices, celebrations, and dedication ceremonies.

But one person was left out.

Aaron the High Priest.

The Torah tells us that Aaron felt dejected. Everyone was participating in the inauguration except him. The tribe of Levi had no prince bringing offerings, and Aaron himself had no role in the festivities.

G-d responded with a message that would become one of the most profound lessons in Jewish leadership:

“Do not feel bad. Your portion is greater than theirs.”

How could that be?

The princes brought magnificent offerings. Aaron merely lit the Menorah.

Yet G-d told Aaron that his service surpassed theirs.

The answer lies in understanding what the Menorah truly represented.

The Menorah was not merely a golden candelabrum standing in the Tabernacle. Kabbalah explains that it represented the collective soul of the Jewish people. Its seven branches corresponded to the seven emotional pathways through which Jews serve Hashem: love, awe, compassion, determination, humility, bonding, and dignity.

Different branches.

Different personalities.

Different paths.

Yet all seven branches emerged from a single Menorah.

One source.

One people.

One soul.

Every Jew possesses a natural love for Hashem. Sometimes that love burns brightly. Sometimes it lies dormant, hidden beneath the distractions and struggles of life. Aaron’s task was to awaken that hidden flame.

The Torah describes his service with a fascinating expression:

“Beha’aloscha Es Haneiros” — “When you elevate the lights.”

Rashi explains that Aaron was required to hold the flame to the wick until the flame rose and burned independently.

This detail reveals the greatness of Aaron’s service.

Anyone can light a candle.

The real accomplishment is to kindle it in such a way that it continues burning on its own.

Aaron was not merely lighting lamps.

He was creating lamplighters.

He was awakening within every Jew the ability to discover and sustain their own inner fire.

That is why his role was greater than that of the princes.

A sacrifice can inspire for a moment.

A soul that learns how to burn on its own can illuminate the world.

Many years ago, Israeli diplomat Yehuda Avner asked the Rebbe a simple question:

“What are you trying to accomplish?”

The Rebbe pointed to a candle.

“What do you see?”

“A candle,” Avner replied.

The Rebbe shook his head.

“No. This is wax with a wick inside. Only when you light it does it become a candle.”

Then the Rebbe explained:

“The body is the wax. The soul is the wick. Torah is the flame. When the flame is applied to the body and soul, the person begins to shine and illuminate the world.”

Avner listened carefully and then asked:

“So did you light my candle?”

The Rebbe smiled.

“No. I merely handed you the match. Now you can light it yourself.”

In that brief exchange, the Rebbe captured the entire essence of Aaron’s service.

The greatest leader is not one who creates followers.

The greatest leader is one who creates leaders.

One who hands people the match.

One who empowers them to discover their own flame.

There is another fascinating detail hidden in this week’s Parsha.

When Moshe split the Sea of Reeds, our sages teach that it split into twelve pathways, one for each tribe. Every tribe crossed separately, each retaining its unique identity and distinct path.

But the prophet Isaiah describes the future redemption differently. The river will split into seven channels.

Why seven?

Because the ultimate redemption is not merely about preserving our differences. It is about uniting them. The twelve tribes become one Menorah. The many pathways of Jewish life converge into seven branches joined to a single source.

Aaron’s task was to take individual souls and unite them into one radiant candelabrum dedicated to Hashem.

That mission continues today.

Every act of Torah, every Mitzvah, every word of encouragement, every moment of inspiration is another match being handed to another soul.

The world does not need more darkness analyzed.

It needs more candles lit.

It needs more people willing to ignite their own souls and help ignite the souls of others.

That was Aaron’s gift.

That was the mission of the Menorah.

And that remains our mission until the day when all these individual flames unite into one great fire of redemption, illuminating the Menorah in the Third Beis HaMikdash with the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days.

Just ignite the love and let it burn.

Have a Shabbos of Burning Love!
Gut Shabbos,

Rabbi Yosef Katzman