This week's
Parsha talks about Aaron lighting
the Menorah. The Torah does not say
"when you light the candles" but
rather "When you raise light". Rashi
explains that the one lighting the
lamp should hold the flame to the
wick until a flame arises of its own
accord.
We are also
lamplighters. In our everyday lives,
in many different spheres, we find
ourselves in a position to affect,
to inspire and to help those around
us. When presented with such
opportunities, it is not sufficient
to help someone up just long enough
for them to fall down again,
requiring further help, ad
infinitum. Like Aaron in this
week's Parsha, we are not just
lighting a lamp but giving it enough
strength and enough power to remain
lit by itself.
Later on in
the Parsha, the Torah tells us that
"I will emanate of the spirit which
is upon you [Moses], and will bestow
it upon them [others].
Was Moses'
prophesy diminished? No. When one
lights another fire from one flame,
the original flame does not lose
anything. So too with us - when we
seek to help and inspire others,
without making calculations based on
power (a zero-sum game) we actually
increase the amount of light rather
than depleting it.
The Rambam,
Maimonides, in his classic legal
work "Mishnei Torah" enumerates
different levels of Tzedaka, of
charity. The very highest are those
where one helps another to stand on
their own two feet, the highest
level being to do so anonymously.
This is in keeping with the idea
that the best way we can help
another is not just to help them up
but to keep them standing.
The soul is
compared to a light. In this area
too, we must strive to kindle the
lamp "so that a flame arises of its
own accord." In dealing with another
person, the objective should be to
establish them as an individual in
their own right, not dependent on
us; to help to hone their talents
and abilities so that their lamp
independently glows and, in turn,
kindles the potential in others.
Before
electric street lights were around,
many places had gas lights. There
were people whose entire job
consisted of going around every
evening to light the lamps. Some of
these lights were in places that
were difficult to get to, some had
often been neglected and were
covered over. A conscientious lamp
lighter had to make sure to light
every lamp in his area. Similarly
when helping out others, we need to
find those who may be hidden yet are
most in need, to assist them in
overcoming their difficulties.