Parshas Beha'alosecha

In Parshas Beha’alosecha unfortunately the B’nai Yisroel complain many times in the desert, about the ma’an (heavenly food), and many other things. Because of their complaints Hashem saw fit that instead of making their journey through the desert three days He made it forty years.

One might ask, why would Hashem punish them so severely? A possible answer could be that Hashem judges them according to their connection to Him. In other words, Hashem has higher expectations for them. As was with the B’nai Yisroel, they had just experienced the splitting of the sea, the revealing of none other then G-d Himself at Har Sinai (Mt. Sinai), and were given the Torah - Never in the history of the world had a people been so close to Hashem. So now we could understand a little better how they would be dealt with so sternly.

Also in this Parsha Ahron is instructed by Hashem (G-d) to light the menorah (candelabra) in the Mishkan (tabernacle). There were many different nisim (miracles) that involved the menorah. For example, when Hashem commanded Moshe (Moses) to construct the Menorah, Moses was unable to do so according to Hashem’s word. (The Menorah is the only vessel in the Mishkan not man made.) Instead of Moshe intricately crafting the Menorah’s unique design Hashem had Moshe throw the necessary gold into a fire and Hashem supernaturally formed the Menorah.

Rashi reveals to us that when Ahron lit the Menorah all of the wicks would lean toward the middle wick. This is because Hashem didn‘t want anyone to think that the menorah was a light source in the Mishkan. So the wick leaned toward the middle rather then outward.

Each time Ahron lit the menorah he had a tremendous amount of enthusiasm.

The Rosh Kollel, Rabbi Zev Busel explains that the first day a boy dons his tiffilin (phylacteries) he is going to be so excited and is going to be bursting with exhilaration. Ahron had that same joy and happiness every time he lit the menorah (everyday).

May we all learn from Ahron’s mindset to always do every mitzvah (commandment) with marvelous enthusiasm which will bring us closer to HaKadosh Baruch Hu and ultimately bring Moshiach (messiah) bimhairah viyamainu! -Amen!

HAVE A GREAT SHABBOS AND WEEKEND!

Stay tuned for next week’s Parsha called, Parshas Sh’lach!