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Beha’aloscha (Shabbat Sat. 2nd June; 19th Sivan) - Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video

482 views · Published 28 May 2018 · 1:51 · Indexed 12 November 2026

Channel: Spiritgrow · 2018 · Education

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Beha’aloscha (Shabbat Sat. 2nd June; 19th Sivan)
Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video
Don’t Just Turn the Lights On – Also Keep Them Burning

SUMMARY: When inspiring or motivating others, it is insufficient to ‘turn the switch on’ and then ask the student to fend for him/herself.  We must ensure that the lit flame burns on, and not flicker out soon after being ignited.  This is the meaning of the use of the verb ‘to raise a flame’ used in this week’s Parsha at the beginning. To ‘raise a flame’ means to ensure that the receiver of our effort is truly self-sufficient to carry on the mission intended. Even more important than igniting the initial enthusiasm is to ensure the continuous burning of the spiritual flame within. 

Notes:
• How do you fire someone up?  How do you ignite enthusiasm and inspire motivation? Inevitably we use the metaphors of fire and flame in describing these goals. As does our Parsha which begins with the instruction of lighting a fire of candelabra candles of the Mishkan – in the Menorah of the Mishkan. 
• But interestingly, the term used in the Chumash this week is not for Aharon, the High priest, to ignite the flame, but rather to ‘raise’ a flame – strange use of the verb for igniting. The implicit instruction is that it is insufficient to merely ignite the flame, but to raise the level of flame so that it will continue to burn self sufficiently without need to reignite it again. 
• The Rebbe explains that each one of his Chassidim is a ‘lamp-lighter’ – referring to the gas-light street lamps of former times, when a lamp-lighter went kindling the gas lights to combat the darkness of the night. 
• But more than being an ‘igniter’ of the gas-lamp, the Chossid has to ‘raise’ the flame, i.e. to ensure that once ignition has taken place, it won’t sputter to a quick extinction.  All too often we feel we have done our duty by conveying the message, sharing the teaching, performing our minimal duty. But what we are being taught here is that our responsibility must also be nurture and maintenance of the welfare of the other, long after flicking the ‘switch’ for the soul. 
• A Lubavitcher Chossid doesn’t simply turn on the light-switch.  He/she has to ensure that the light stays on in that person’s life, that they are spiritually nourished and maintained so that the initial flame can endure the 120 years of life that G-d has given each one of us to achieve our unique mission in this world.

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