Miller's Musings Parshas Behaloscha: Let Us Make Light- Building Our Connection

בס''ד

The first kindling of the menorah in the Mishkan by Aharon Hakohen brought tremendous spiritual illumination into the world and released hitherto unseen radiance onto this physical plane. The Gemoro however asks why there would be a need for light in the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdosh, rhetorically asking whether Hashem really needed a light in there! Our question is on the question itself. Throughout the Torah there are examples where Hashem is referred to in an anthropomorphic way, attributing to Him human characteristics. It talks for example about the ‘pleasing aroma’ of an offering, when G-d clearly derives no physical benefit from the korban.  So why only here do we ask about the need of G-d for light? In truth any ascribing of physical properties to Hashem is understood to be an analogy for us to somehow grasp the nature of G-d. Hashem patently has no “strong hand” or “outstretched arm” that are spoken of during the exodus from Egypt. He did not “descend upon Har Sinai” during His revelation there nor did He “go down” with Yaakov to Egypt. All of these are ways in which we as humans can relate to Hashem in our own limited way, without which we could simply not speak of Him at all. The difference in the case of the Menorah, says Reb Shimshon Dovid Pincus zt’l, is that in all other cases there is nothing negative about the analogy other than the inherent restriction of a physical association. Light however, throughout the Torah signifies something positive even referring to Hashem’s emanation into the world as a light. To then think of Hashem ‘in darkness’ is difficult not due to the corporeal element, but due to it having negative connotations, something we cannot reconcile with the perfection of G-d.  An authentic relationship with Hashem can be challenging and is predicated on an ability to perceive Him in the manner that we have discussed. Without it we cannot begin to connect with Him. But we can sometimes suffer from the lack of obvious observable interaction with Hashem and this is where we must develop the bond by working on the elements of Judaism that cultivate this. Genuinely talking to Hashem while davening and indeed whilst not davening, working on our trust in Him for the future and belief in His goodness in the past, acknowledging all that He has given us and all the times that He intervenes for our benefit. We cannot decry an absence of Him in our lives if we have not used these methods and more to feel His presence. Like everything in life, if it is truly worthwhile it requires effort, and this, the most worthwhile of all, is no exception.

*May Shabbos bring Hashem even more palpably into our lives*

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם 

 לעילוי נשמת שרה יעל בת גרשון

לרפואת אלימלך יהושע אהרון בן דבורה רבקה