Beha'aloscha
Rabbi Jablinowitz
Rashi on the first pasuk in our parsha explains the connection between the end of last week's parsha and the beginning of this week's parsha. He quotes the Medrash which states that Aharon HaKohen felt bad when he saw the role of the Nesi'im, the heads of the tribes, in bringing sacrifices as part of the Chanukas HaMikshkan, the consecration of the Mishkan. Hashem tells him not to worry, Shelcha Gedola Mishelahem, your portion is greater than theirs, for you get to light the Menorah. And this is why our parsha begins with the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah.
There is a well known Ramban which asks the question, why is it precisely the lighting of the Menorah that Aharon is consoled with. There were many other aspects of the Avodah which would seem to surpass the lighting of the Menorah in significance, for example, entering the Kodesh Hakadashim on Yom Kippur. Rather, the Ramban explains, the lighting of the Menorah is a reference to the lighting of the Menorah in the Beis Hamikdash by the Chashmona'im at the time of Chanukah. The effect of this miracle and the subsequent holiday was very great and its impact outlasted the actual Avodah which can only be performed while the Beis Hamikdash was standing. This is why Aharon was consoled with the mitzvah of the Menorah.
The Sfas Emes explains the consolation given to Aharon in a different manner. The contribution of the Nesi'im involved bringing karbanos, Avodah in the Mishkan. Avodah is something which is defined as Chayei Sha'ah. Chayei Sha'ah is understood to mean the focus on our needs in this world. In addition, Chazal established Tefillah corresponding to the daily sacrifices brought in the Beis Hamikdash. Tefillah is when we ask Hashem to provide us with our sustenance and desires in this world. This is the basis of Avodah, one of three pillars upon which the world stands; our relationship with Gd as our provider and sustainer in this temporal world.
Hashem tells Aharon Shelcha Gedola Mishelahem, your portion is greater than theirs. The light of the Menorah is the light of Torah Shebe'alpeh. Your portion is that of Chayei Olam. This is the idea of moving beyond our needs in this world, Chayei, Banei, and Mezonei, life, children, and sustenance, and focusing on eternal life achieved through learning Torah.
Last week's parsha ended with the Shechinah speaking directly to Moshe Rabbeinu. This is the essence of Torah She'bichtav. And as Rashi teaches there on the words Vayedaber Eilav, it is excluding Aharon from this mitzvah since it's the epitome of Torah She'bichtav. But in our parsha, Aharon is taught that through the physical act of the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah, the Ner mitzvah, he is able to connect with the Torah Ohr, the eternal light of Torah as represented by Moshe Rabbeinu. The act of lighting the Menorah enables us to move beyond the limitations of the temporal world, and reach the eternal light of Torah, Chayei Olam.
This role of Aharon and the Kohanim is expressed in practical ways as well. The pasuk in Malachi (Chapter 2, Pasuk 7) states, Ki Sifsei Kohen Yishmeru Da'as V'Torah Yevakshu M'Pihu. The role of the Kohen was to teach Torah as well. The Rambam paskens in Hilchot Sanhedrin, Chapter 2, Halacha 2, that preferably the Sanhedrin HaGadol should include Kohanim and Levi'im. This is further expression of the dual role of the Kohen.
This is the meaning of the Medrash according to the Sfas Emes. Hashem tells him that it's true that part of his role was to do Avodah in the Mishkan, and this was performed admirably by the Nesi'im through the Karbanos they brought. But this is Chaya Sha'ah and Shelcha Gedola Mishelahem, your role is greater because it includes Chayei Olam, eternal life achieved through Torah. And this role as teacher of Torah is also expressed in the Mishkan and specifically through the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah. For by lighting the Menorah we are connecting our limited, physical world with the eternal light of Torah, and this is also the role of Aharon Hakohen; the role of the facilitator of Torah Shebe'alpeh.
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