SIMCHAT SHMUEL
BY RABBI SAM SHOR
Program Director, OU Israel Center
I
n this week’s parsha, Hashem instructs Moshe to speak to his brother Aharon, and tell him Beha’alotcha et haNeirot. Rashi offers three possible interpretations to the meaning of these words- beha’alotcha et HaNeirot. The second interpretation suggested by Rashi is that you, the kohen, cause the flame to be elevated, to rise above the oil which was kindled. By kindling the oil, Aharon will cause lights to rise up and shine in the Beit HaMikdash. Rabbi Moshe Wolfson, shlita, suggests that this idea introduced by Rashi, actually serves as a pedagogical message for parents and educators. Shlomo HaMelech, in Mishlei wrote Ner Hashem Nishmat Adam - the Candle of God is the soul of man. Each human being is a proverbial divine candle. Innate within each human being, explains Rabbi Wolfson, is the potential to bring great light into the world. The kindling of the Menora, which Aharon is instructed to perform, is thus a symbol for the goals of how we as parents and educators
are meant to encourage our children in matters of chinuch. Chinuch, true education is much more than simply sharing information, or mastering textual knowledge. Proper chinuch explains Rabbi Wolfson, kindles that innate spark within the hearts and minds of our children and students, and enables their unique lights to rise up, develop, and shine brightly! Similarly, Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch zt’l explained that the very word for education - chinuch is related to the word chein- which means inner beauty, grace or potential.True chinuch empowers students to find those innate talents, develop them and truly shine! Yehi Ratzon, may we strive to take to heart these two beautiful ideas, and may each and everyone of us be blessed to lift up and shine our own inner lights, and make the world a bit brighter together.
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