THEMES of Featured Mystical Classics Articles

Rabbi Moshe Alshich teaches that just as the Menorah was fashioned from a single chunk of gold, not a composite of various sections, so Aaron understood that his function in kindling the Menorah was to create a unity here on earth that would parallel the unity in Heaven, described by the reference to "the seven lights".

Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai teaches that G-d gave three precious gifts to Israel, but that the acquisition of each one of them involve painful experiences which refine his body and enable him to achieve closeness to G-d. The three gifts referred to are Torah, the Land of Israel, and the World to Come.

Only Moses was able to maintain his regular posture when G‑d communicated with him; he did not prostrate himself or go into convulsions, as did other prophets. Neither did he receive such communications in the form of a riddle or parable. Every communication Moses received from G‑d was crystal clear, requiring no further elaboration.

The Merciful One allows one to bring the Passover offering on Pesach Sheni if he prefers, but if he did bring it at the first opportunity, he is deserving of blessing because he has acted rightly.

According to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Pesach Sheni represents compensation or correction for a prior shortcoming, thus representing the path of teshuvah. This is the inner reason that this offering was recorded out of chronological order, for teshuvah has the power to rearrange a person's life out of chronological order, wiping away his past mistakes.