Parshas Tetzaveh
The Light of the Menorah and the Absence of Moshe's Name
The purity of oil for the lamps of the menorah/candelabra is emphasized in
this week’s parsha’s opening verse. It seems clear that the Torah requires
the purest of olive oil for the fuel to light the menorah/candelabra not
only for the physical and practical reason that the flame should not flicker
and be weak but also for symbolic and moral reasons.
The light of Torah is dependent upon the moral purity of its source. Just as
dregs and pulp contaminate the oil and prevent a steady light from emerging,
so, too, grave imperfections of character and behavior weaken the teachings
of Torah to students and to the masses of Israel. Recent events here in
Israeli religious and secular society only serve to reinforce this standard.
The fuel for the light of Torah must also possess purity within it. King
Solomon stated that “dead flies can render the finest oil repugnant.” The
finest oil is present but it is the dead fly in the ointment that renders
the entire mixture to be repugnant.
Unfortunately and tragically there is apparently no escape from this
observation about life and human behavior and attitudes. Therefore the Torah
places such great emphasis upon the fuel for the lights of the
menorah/candelabra. For if the fuel is contaminated and dirtied then the
menorah/candelabra is itself demeaned and cheapened in the eyes of the
public and its light dimmed and darkened. The Torah makes this point
directly and boldly in stating its strict requirements for the olive oil
that fuels the menorah/candelabra. Its lesson should not be lost on us.
Another important lesson that emerges from this week’s parsha emanates from
the absence of the name of Moshe in the parsha. The Torah, its truths and
values, its eternity and validity, is never dependent upon one person no
matter how great that person may be perceived to be. The Torah emphasizes
the mortality of Moshe as well as his human ability to fall below the
heavenly standard that was set for him.
The Torah warns us not to deem humans as being perfect or infallible. The
Psalmist warns us not to place our trust in humans, even great humans, but
rather only in God and His Torah. The tendency to deify humans, even if they
be scholars, leaders or holy people, is a dangerous one. It leads to the
dreaded “cult of the personality” that has claimed so many victims
throughout the past and modern history of the Jewish people and the world
generally.
Even though the Torah is always identified with Moshe, this week’s parsha
shows us that the Torah exists independent of Moshe. His name need not
appear for the Torah validates itself even without him. The modern tendency
in the religious world to worship and idolize people is therefore a
dangerous one. All humans are subject to sin and failure, temper and error.
Worship in the Torah is reserved for only God Himself. It often takes bitter
and sad occurrences to remind us of this truth.
Shabat shalom.
Rabbi Berel Wein
