Raising the Lamps, Raising One Another - Parashat B'ha'alothka

Parashat B’ha’alotkha begins with the lighting of the menorah, yet the Torah chooses a striking expression to describe that sacred task. The parashah takes its name from the phrase b’ha’alotkha et haneirot—often translated as “when you light the lamps,” but more literally meaning “when you raise up the lamps.” In everyday usage we might expect language associated with kindling or illumination. Instead, the Torah speaks about elevation.

RaSH”I explains that Aharon's responsibility extended beyond bringing fire to the wick. He would hold the flame in place until the lamp generated a steady flame of its own. The light reached completion when it possessed the strength to sustain itself and continue shining independently.

Within that image lies a powerful understanding of human growth.

Each morning the lamps stood prepared. Fresh oil filled their vessels. New wicks waited to receive the flame. Aharon entered carrying fire, yet the capacity for illumination already rested within each lamp. His role centered on drawing forth what already existed.

The Torah describes human beings in much the same way.

Every soul contains reservoirs of wisdom, creativity, courage, compassion, and holiness. Every person enters the world carrying gifts that enrich families, communities, and generations. Human development unfolds through relationships that nurture those gifts and bring them into fuller expression.

For that reason, the Torah describes Aharon's task as raising the lamps. Leadership involves elevation. Teaching involves elevation. Friendship involves elevation. Community involves elevation.

Many people carry tremendous strength beneath the surface of their daily lives. Extraordinary abilities often remain dormant for years awaiting encouragement, opportunity, affirmation, or guidance. A kind word awakens confidence. A trusted mentor awakens purpose. A supportive community awakens possibility.

Growth frequently begins through the presence of another person who recognizes light before it becomes visible.

The African-American experience contains countless examples of this sacred process.

Across generations, Black families cultivated resilience, dignity, faith, scholarship, artistic brilliance, and leadership under circumstances that demanded extraordinary perseverance. Faith spaces nurtured spiritual confidence. Teachers cultivated intellectual excellence. Community organizations developed future leaders. Elders transmitted wisdom. Parents transmitted hope.

Generation after generation, people invested themselves in helping others discover the fullness of their own potential.

The history of African-American achievement reveals a continuous chain of uplift. Educators shaped scholars who shaped future scholars. Clergy formed leaders who formed future leaders. Artists inspired younger artists. Activists developed younger activists. Every generation contributed fuel to the lamps that followed.

The image of the menorah captures that dynamic beautifully.

One lamp kindles another while retaining its own brightness. Light expands through relationship. Illumination spreads through connection. Strength multiplies through encouragement. The original flame continues burning while new flames emerge around it.

B’ha’alotkha invites reflection upon the people who helped awaken our own light.

Most of us can recall someone whose encouragement strengthened our confidence, whose wisdom expanded our horizons, or whose faith helped us recognize abilities that had remained hidden from our view. Their influence became part of our story. Their investment became part of our growth.

Aharon's example encourages us to become that presence for others, standing before the menorah until each lamp burns steadily and brightly through its own power. That image remains one of the Torah's most beautiful descriptions of leadership. Great leaders cultivate independence. Great teachers develop confidence. Great communities empower people to discover their own voices and their own strength.

The ultimate goal extends beyond producing followers. The ultimate goal involves nurturing future lamplighters.

When people discover their own light, they illuminate families, neighborhoods, congregations, movements, and generations. Their flame becomes a source of warmth, wisdom, and inspiration for others.

The command of B’ha’alotkha continues to echo through every generation. Raise up the lamps. Awaken the light. Strengthen the spirit. Cultivate the gifts already present within every soul. Then watch as those flames rise on their own and fill the world with illumination.

Shabbat Shalom.