Different Colors of the Menorah

Some would like to make it simple, some say it’s too complex to ever solve.  Opinions are strong, emotions are strong.  I don’t have The answer but this weeks’ Parsha sheds some light.

The Parsha opens with the instruction regarding the kindling of the Menorah.  The Menorah had seven branches representing the seven types of people depicted in the teachings of Kabalah.  These seven people represent us and everyone we know.  The Menorah was only kosher with all seven branches.

We are different, different personalities, different cultures, different interests, so many different colors that make up the beauty of G-d’s creation. 

 
Moses was instructed to hew the Menorah from one block of gold.  We too are all hewn from the same block of gold.  We are all golden in our many differences.  Or our differences are all golden because they all come from G-d.

In the Temple each and every evening all the lamps of the Menorah were kindled, not just the main branch or in an increasing manner as we do for our Chanukah Menorahs.  The light that each of us possess is inside of us, even if it doesn’t shine through at times.  All it takes often is someone who cares enough to bring the light out.

The purpose of the Menorah was not to light the place of the sanctuary.  For that, we had many candelabras (these are depicted on the Arch of Titus).  The Menorah was there to illuminate the world. Our inner light is there to bring light to others and make the world a brighter place.  When we get stuck on our own light for ourselves the world actually becomes darker.

So, a mind shift is needed; to see every human being as a light of G-d, to see the inner potential even when sometimes it doesn’t show on the outside, to realize that we are all equal even as we are different, and finally, that our Menorah is not complete unless all the other branches are there with us, giving light together.

With blessings,

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman