From this weeks Parsha, Bahaalotecha...
From this weeks Parsha, Bahaalotecha:
“The Ineffable spoke to Moses. Speak to each Israelite saying ‘when you kindle the lamps, toward the face of the menorah shall the seven lamps cast light.”
We note here the traditional seven branched candelabrum. Why seven branches? Why not six? Some say that the seven branches represent the days of creation, some say they are for the seven planets known at the time, others offer that it is a reminder of the Burning Bush and Kabbalists suggest that they are analogous to the lower seven Sephirot of the Kabbalistic tree.
I’ve taken special notice of the Hebrew word usually translated as “kindle.” The actual Hebrew means “you shall raise up the light.” To me this means that the actual kindling of the lamp has a higher purpose that needs us to create the light. What are we yearning for when we kindle the lights? We are invited to bring this light into the world and into our lives. The ritual reinforces this sense of meaning and purposefulness.
During Am Kolel's June Appeal month I see a holy connection between our giving and the purpose of the seven branches of the menorah. Perhaps we can see the branches represent core purposes/values of Am Kolel:
Joy
Inclusiveness
Learning
Lovingkindness
Fighting injustice
Building bridges
Service to others, earth and the Giver of Life
On our logo you can see seven leaves on each of the four branches.
If you haven’t as yet given to our June Appeal, please support of one or more of these branches of our Menorah.
May our individual lights come together as one brighter light.
Gratefully,
Reb David