Dvar Torah Terumah 5785 - Lighting the Way

The Torah sets forth in this week’s parsha the details of constructing the Menorah. Regarding the lamps of the Menorah, the Torah states (Shemos 25:37): “You shall make its lamps seven; he shall raise up its lamps so as to give light towards its face.” The pasuk is difficult to understand. What does it mean to “raise up its lamps”, and how does that “give light towards its face?” Furthermore, what is the “face” of the Menorah? The Mizrachi explains that this pasuk cannot be talking about lighting the Menorah because the Torah is setting forth instructions for its construction, not for lighting it. Therefore, he says that the Torah is directing the craftsman that he should construct the Menorah in such a way that the six candles will tilt towards the seventh, central candle. In that way, when the candles are lit, they will “give light towards its face”, i.e. the center of the Menorah.

While the Mizrachi focuses on the technical details of the Menorah's construction, the Seforno delves deeper into its symbolic meaning. He writes that the light of the three left candles and the light of the three right candles will be directed towards the central candlestick. This design contrasts with typical illustrations of the Menorah, where all seven candlesticks appear parallel. Why was the Menorah designed in this manner, with the six outside candlesticks pointed toward the center?

The Seforno explains that the light from the three candles on either side of the central candlestick represent different aspects of the Torah. The light of the three candles on the left side represents the intellectual, spiritual aspect of the Torah as well as those who focus their lives that way. The light of the three candles on the right represents the active part (i.e. deeds) of the Torah and those that are more involved with the activities of the physical world but still help to support the ones on the left side. Yet all of them face the center, which represents the Divine light. The Seforno reads the pasuk as saying that when all the candles are facing the center, then all the candles will shine together.

The Seforno understands that the Torah does not require one monolithic way of serving Hashem. Some people are more inclined towards spirituality, while others focus on intellectual learning. There are also those who are doers and workers. Different Jewish people, Ashkenazim and Sefardim, Chassidic and Yeshivish, workers and learners, can serve Hashem in different ways. However, all the Jewish people and all areas of Torah must be joined together with the same, mutual goal: To serve Hashem as one united people.

This also explains why the Menorah must be chiseled out of one solid piece of gold instead of melting different pieces together. All Jews are created from the same source for a common purpose. Although we are different, the Menorah shows us that we are united together as one inseparable unit. When we recognize the unity and holiness of all the Jewish people, then the Seforno says that we will see the light of Israel shining forth from the Great Light – Hashem Himself. We should merit to see that happen in our time.

-Rabbi Garber, February 28, 2025