The Hebrew root for this week’s Torah portion, Beholetecha, is OLAH, meaning to elevate. The portion begins with the strange command that Aaron should “elevate” the lights of the menorah. Rashi asks why the Hebrew word Lehadlik isn’t used instead. Lehadlik is what we use for our candle lighting blessing on Friday night. He surmises that in this case the job was not complete until the light itself is elevated, growing beyond a small flicker to a great flame.
This extra effort reminds me of the joy and the challenge of child rearing. Our job as parents is not just to light, but also lift up. This Shabbat that duty has special meaning for me and my family, as we elevate our daughter Jarah as a Bat Mitzvah. Watching her prepare for her big day diligently with the support of Cantor Frank and Harvey Horowitz has been illuminating. She is no longer a little girl, but a young woman, approaching this important Jewish life cycle event with confidence and strength. Ashirah and I, along with Jarah’s siblings Boaz and Noam as well as our extended family, could not be more proud of her as we await her Aliya, or spiritual elevation, to the Torah this Shabbat morning.
To the extended Shir Shalom community, my family would like to virtually invite you to our big day. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, it is a family only event in the sanctuary. But, we would love for you to attend the broadcast at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 29th (click on this link for more details – https://shirshalombuffalo.org/staging/4734/watch-our-services-live/). You have been a big part of Jarah’s life and we are so very appreciative of our Shir Shalom community and the wonderful home we have in Western New York.
May we have many opportunities in the near and far future to lift up all of our lights from small flickers to mighty flames.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex