Rabbi header logo
Friday, June 24, 2016 / 19 Sivan 5776
Light Shabbat candles at 7:24 p.m.



Rabbi Sharfman
RABBI SHARFMAN'S
WEEKLY MESSAGE
and CANDLE LIGHTING REMINDER
 
  

Be'haalotecha literally means: "When you raise up [the lamps of the menorah]"... Here's how we're instructed to light the menorah: apply the flame to the wick "until the flame rises on its own," in other words, until it shines independently. This idea teaches an important lesson to all of us as educators, parents and learners: every individual is potentially a menorah, but a menorah needs a flame to help it realize its potential to emit/give out light.
 
In this week's parasha, we see our greatest leader, Moses, was weary of leadership and devoid of emotional strength, unable to continue as the 'flame' of the Jewish people. We read that the elders of the tribes of Israel were present for him, and that their presence helped to lift him out of his depressive state, in a sense, rekindling Moses' wick so it could again shine independently. From this parasha, we can learn that depression is isolating and often leads to more self-imposed isolation (darkness) when what is needed is the presence of others, bringing light to remind us that we are not alone. And, we can be that flame for others!

As one emerges, it is possible for real transformation - to understand, as Moses came to see, that his life was so much more than his own feelings and needs, important as they were, but even more so, that life is about purpose and mission and being in service. We are reminded that Moses was known especially for the trait of humility. C.S. Lewis, British scholar and writer from the 1950s, had some good advice: humility is not about thinking less of yourself. It is about thinking of yourself less. Moses' focus returned to leadership of our people, and going forward, we see in Moses an inner calm and resolve that served him well as he faced painful crises in his own life while continuing to help the Jewish people realize our potential on the journey ahead.  
 
 
A kavannah for candle lighting on Shabbat Be'haalotecha      
 
Dear God, on this Shabbat in which the Torah instructs us to raise up light, may our candle lighting help us to both 'raise' our own inner light (so that our love and goodness will shine forth and illumine the world), and to be the flame for others, helping inspire them to recognize and share their own light.

 
Shabbat Shalom!
 
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
 
Congregation Kehillah   |   602-369-7667
7430 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Ste. 132
Scottsdale, AZ 85255