Weekly Torah
Creating Flames

When the Torah talks about Aaron lighting the Menorah, it does not say "when you light the candles" but rather "When you raise light." The Commentator Rashi explains that the one lighting the lamp should hold the flame to the wick "until a flame arises of its own accord."1

We are also lamplighters. In our everyday lives, in many different spheres, we find ourselves in a position to affect, to inspire and to help those around us. When presented with such opportunities, it is not sufficient to help someone up just long enough for them to fall down again, requiring further help, ad infinitum. Like Aaron we are not just lighting a lamp but giving it enough strength and enough power to remain lit by itself.

We read how G-d says to Moses, "I will emanate of the spirit which is upon you, and will bestow it upon [others]."2 Our sages comment: "Was Moses' prophecy diminished? No. When one lights another fire from one flame, the original flame does not lose anything."3 So too with us -- when we seek to help and inspire others, without making calculations based on power (a zero-sum game) we actually increase the amount of light rather than depleting it.

Maimonides in his classic legal work of Jewish law enumerates different levels of charity. The very highest are those where one helps another to stand on their own two feet, the highest level being to do so anonymously. This is in keeping with the idea that the best way we can help another is not just to help them up but to keep them standing.

The soul is compared to a light.4 In this area too, we must strive to kindle the lamp "so that a flame arises of its own accord." In dealing with another person, the objective should be to establish them as an individual in their own right, not dependent on us; to help to hone their talents and abilities so that their lamp independently glows and, in turn, kindles the potential in others.

Before electric street lights were around, many places had gas lights. There were people whose entire job consisted of going around every evening to light the lamps. Some of these lights were in places that were difficult to get to, some had often been neglected and were covered over. A conscientious lamp lighter had to make sure to light every lamp in his area. Similarly when helping out others, we need to find those who may be hidden yet are most in need, to assist them in overcoming their difficulties.5