CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS BEHAALOSCHA
"When you kindle the lamps…" (Bamidbar 8:2).
Commenting on the above passage, Rashi writes that Aharon (Aharon) was upset when he saw the twelve days of festivities during the inauguration of the Holy Tabernacle, when each of the twelve tribes had its day of glory, presenting its gift offerings before Hashem. Aharon and the priestly tribe sat on the sidelines, with no glorious day of their own. Hashem consoled Aharon, and said, "For the life of you, Aharon, your share is greater than theirs, for you shall light the lamps!"
Hashem's consolation of Aharon is apparently puzzling: For twelve straight days, each respective tribal president was the focus of millions of eyes, when all of Israel – 603,550 men alone, and with women and children, millions – gathered around the Holy Tabernacle for the glory, pomp, and splendor of the tribal president's lavish offerings on the alter. The day of offering was also a holiday for each respective tribe when its turn came. Millions of people cheering, praising Hashem's name, rejoicing – who can imagine such a magnificent spectacle? Each respective tribe with their president in the lead brought their gifts of silver and gold utensils, ascent offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings to Hashem. For twelve whole days, the twelve tribes bask in the limelight while Aharon and his tribe sit quietly in the corner.
When the festivities are over, and everyone returns to their tents, Hashem comes to Aharon and grants him a mitzvah – far removed from the eyes of a single onlooker, much less the millions of Israel – alone, quietly, with no publicity, no neon signs, no glitter, no pomp, no glory, no banner headlines, and no flashing lights. Hashem gives Aharon the high priest the task of kindling the Menorah.
How can one even compare Aharon's simple, modest, seemingly insignificant task of lighting the Menorah to the grandeur of a tribal president's opulent presentation of his offerings on the altar, in full public view?
"When you kindle the lamps…" (Bamidbar 8:2).
Commenting on the above passage, Rashi writes that Aharon (Aharon) was upset when he saw the twelve days of festivities during the inauguration of the Holy Tabernacle, when each of the twelve tribes had its day of glory, presenting its gift offerings before Hashem. Aharon and the priestly tribe sat on the sidelines, with no glorious day of their own. Hashem consoled Aharon, and said, "For the life of you, Aharon, your share is greater than theirs, for you shall light the lamps!"
Hashem's consolation of Aharon is apparently puzzling: For twelve straight days, each respective tribal president was the focus of millions of eyes, when all of Israel – 603,550 men alone, and with women and children, millions – gathered around the Holy Tabernacle for the glory, pomp, and splendor of the tribal president's lavish offerings on the alter. The day of offering was also a holiday for each respective tribe when its turn came. Millions of people cheering, praising Hashem's name, rejoicing – who can imagine such a magnificent spectacle? Each respective tribe with their president in the lead brought their gifts of silver and gold utensils, ascent offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings to Hashem. For twelve whole days, the twelve tribes bask in the limelight while Aharon and his tribe sit quietly in the corner.
When the festivities are over, and everyone returns to their tents, Hashem comes to Aharon and grants him a mitzvah – far removed from the eyes of a single onlooker, much less the millions of Israel – alone, quietly, with no publicity, no neon signs, no glitter, no pomp, no glory, no banner headlines, and no flashing lights. Hashem gives Aharon the high priest the task of kindling the Menorah.
How can one even compare Aharon's simple, modest, seemingly insignificant task of lighting the Menorah to the grandeur of a tribal president's opulent presentation of his offerings on the altar, in full public view?
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