Moses and Pure Olive Oil
For the integrity of knowledge, both the teacher and student have to possess pure souls. TETZAVEH TETZAVEH
Absent, but More Forcefully Present
Much has been written about the fact that Moses’ name does not appear in this Torah portion-Tetzaveh; the only such parsha since Moses’ birth was recorded where his name does not appear (See Essay One).
In place of his name, however, he is referred to prominently by the pronoun “you,” in the opening verse:
“And you shall command the children of Israel that they should bring to you pure olive oil crushed for lighting, to ignite the lamp continually.”
Moses, though he was the one to communicate all of G-d’s commandments, his status as the commander was reinforced specifically here with regard to the use of pure olive oil for the Menorah.
TETZAVEH
Moses the Commander and Pure Olive Oil
The fact that G-d delegated His authority to Moses specifically for this Mitzvah needs to be understood. Why was Moses’ role as commander stressed exclusively in this parsha with regard to the mitzvah of preparing olive oil for the kindling of the Menorah in the Sanctuary? Why isn’t his role as the commander mentioned in earlier or later parts of the Torah? What connection is there between Moses and pure olive oil?
One explanation that can be given requires a better understanding of the purpose of lighting the Menorah in the Temple.
The Role of Temple Offerings
When one surveys the Torah’s discussion of the services performed in the Sanctuary, we discover that they were dominated by offerings of various foods to G-d. Now G-d does not need our offerings. However, the offerings served as the means through which G-d “connected” to the world, or more precisely, the offerings served as the means through which G-d enabled us to be TETZAVEH connected to Him. And just as it takes the ingestion of food to keep the soul and body together, the same is said about G-d’s relationship with our world. G-d, the soul of the entire universe, is kept within the world through the offerings in the Temple—“G-d’s food,” so to speak. The offerings served the world’s “nutritional needs.”
In these times when we don’t have the Temple, our prayers take the place of the offerings. Our daily prayers, among other “benefits” provide the world with its sustenance.
Menorah: Not (just) Another Offering
The menorah, by contrast, was designed not as another offering of olive oil, but as a source of spiritual light. The Menorah was to play a complementary role with the Altar and its offerings. While the offerings served as the means to bring G-d’s energy into this world; the Menorah served to clarify and illuminate that relationship.
And here is where Moses’ role is underscored. While Moses transmitted all of Torah TETZAVEH knowledge to the Jewish people, it was his special role to illuminate the world with G- dly knowledge. And even though it was Aaron, Moses’ brother, and his descendants, who actually kindled the Menorah; the power vested within them to accomplish this mission was given to them by Moses.
What is it about Moses that made him the source of the power to illuminate the world through the kindling of the Menorah?
The short answer is that Moses personified the Torah and the Torah is the ultimate source of light. Torah illuminates everything.
But, the Torah itself can be perverted and its light can be dimmed. In order for us to access the pure light of the Torah, symbolized by the pure olive oil, on must be connected to Moses whose distinction was that his personality was so transparent that anything he communicated was the unadulterated and unambiguous word of G-d.
When we study Torah and connect to Moses we will be endowed with the ability to light up the world.
TETZAVEH
Golus Darkness
But even Moses Torah teaching, while pure, does not end up nearly as pure when it goes through the transmission of less than holy individuals.
This is especially true in the period of Galusexile, when darkness and confusion preveail. Galus also affcts the clarity of our understanding.
Even the Babylonian Talmud refers to itself as the “Talmud of Darkness” because it was composed in the time of Babylonian exile. Therefore, although its teachings are an integral part of Torah, and were all given at Mount Sinai, we do not necessarily absorb its knowledge in its unadulterated form.
The way we may have to grope in the dark in our attempt to fathom its Divine knowledge points to the deleterious effects of Galus.
Moshiach’s Teachings: Pure Oil
This will all change with Moshiach.
TETZAVEH
Moshiach is said to possess the soul of Moses, in addition to his own unique soul. Because his appearance comes at the end of exile he will be able to transit Torah knowledge in it s most pure form. Nothing will obstruct our ability to comprehend the deepest secrets of the Torah.
Our prayers for Moshiach include our desire for him to inspire us to study Torah with the pure light that will illuminate G-d’s presence in the world.
TETZAVEH
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Tetzaveh by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
