Friday, June 10, 2011

Beha’alotecha 5771

This week's parsha opens with G-d's instructions to Aharon regarding lighting the menorah: "When you raise up the lamps…"

What is the significance of "raising up" the lamps, rather than merely "kindling" them?

Rashi explains that the lamplighter is required to hold the flame to the wick until the flame rises by itself, on its own accord. The lights of the menorah are symbolic of the Jewish soul. The words "raise up" (beha'alotecha, the name of the parsha) are used rather than "kindle" or "light" because Aharon's task is to raise up every soul, to bring out the great potential within each individual.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe understands this to mean that the objective of teachers, parents and mentors should be "to establish [our charges] as self-sufficient luminaries. [We should] assist in developing their talents and abilities so that their lamps independently glow and, in turn, kindle the potential in others."

As parents, we must strive to "raise up" the potential in each of our children, revealing it from its state of dormancy. The key is not only to ignite a flame of belief, but to provide direction and confidence in our children's abilities that will take them to the point where they are no longer dependent on our inspiration, and are able to shine strongly without our constant aid.

Raising up can only be achieved by teaching and illuminating with uplifting and encouraging messages. It cannot be accomplished by berating children and putting them down when their actions disappoint us. Instead of trying to change our children, we should recognize their unique potential and help them to achieve it. Mrs. Chana Weisberg writes on www.chabad.org "We 'light up' another not through scathing criticism aimed at crushing individuality, but through warmth, love and validation. By validating positive qualities, by discovering latent capabilities, by igniting his fire so that his own branch shines brightly, we have succeeded in enriching another life."

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