THE ETERNAL LIGHT

Exodus 27:20

Source: Yalkut Shimoini 378

The Torah portion begins by describing the light of the Menorah as an "eternal light". G-d told the B'nei Yisroel, "In this world (Olam Hazeh), you were in need of the light coming from the Temple. In the world to come, in the merit of the light which burned in the Temple, I will bring you Melech HaMoshiach who is compared to a flame as it is written (Tehillim 132:17) "I provided a flame for my Moshiach".

G-d also said, "I myself will make for you light as the prophet Isaiah says, "G-d will be for you a light in the world".

In the Holy Temple, the menorah was lit daily and remained lit for the entire day. For this reason, the windows in the Holy Temple were built in a way that it widened on the outer part of the wall, so that the holy light would emanate to the entire world.


CHOSHEN - MOSHIACH

Exodus 28:15-30

Source: Sanhedrin 93a, Likutei Sichos 11:138

The Choshen was one of the 8 garments that the Kohen Gadol wore in the Temple.

The numerical value of the word Choshen equals 358. The word Moshiach also equals 358.

The Choshen contained the Urim V'tumim. When the B'nei Yisroel had a question they presented it to the Kohen Gadol when he was wearing the Choshen. G-d's answer would come through the Urim V'tumim. The letters which formed the answer would light up on the Choshen and the Kohen Gadol would read the message through Divine Inspiration.

So too, Moshiach has the ability to judge and solve questions and problems through Divine Inspiration, as it is stated in Gemorrah that
by "smelling" -- a unique holy "smelling", a deeper and prophetic understanding - he will be able to clarify and solve all problems.


AARON...AARON...AARON

Exodus 28:1

Source: Baal Haturim

In introducing the subject of the priestly garments, the verse mentions the name "Aaron" three times.

Why does the verse need to repeat his name? It can simply say "he". This is to teach us that each "Aaron" represents something different.

The first "Aaron" stands for the first Temple, the second "Aaron" stands for the second Temple and the third "Aaron" stands for the
third Temple.

Aaron was the first Kohen Gadol - high-priest. Only priests may perform the service in the Holy Temple. All priests are descendants of
Aaron and therefore he participates in the all services in all three Holy Temples. Even in the original commandment, the Torah hints to
the service of the priests in the third Temple.


PURE OLIVE OIL

Exodus 27:20

Source: Medrash Chodosh p.257 in Torah Shleima 27:88. Midrash Hagadol.

Only pure olive oil, made from the first few drops when the olives were squeezed, would be used for lighting the Menorah. At first taste, the olive seems bitter, but after a few moments, the taste sweetens. The sweet taste is only preceded by the olive's bitterness, but the sweet taste remains.

The Jewish people, too, are compared to olives. We endure much trouble, suffering, trials and tribulations in exile. Finally, after so many years in exile, the final redemption through Moshiach will come and its sweetness will be everlasting. We will taste the sweetness and purity of the redemption, for which we've been waiting for thousands of years.

More so, when Moshiach comes, our faces will shine like rays of the sun, like the clear and bright light that is given off when pure olive oil burns.

AHAROH'S RETURN

Exodus 28

Source: Sanhedrin 90b

This week's parsha speaks about all the special clothing which was made for Aaron the Kohen Gadol. When the Redemptionh comes, Aaron will come back to life and return to his duties as Kohen Gadol!

PAVING THE WAY FOR THE DAYS OF MOSHIACH

Exodus 28:17 - 25:6

Source: Medrash Hagodol, Parshas Terumah

The Midrash connects the items that G-d requested from the Jewish people for the Mishkan and priestly garments to the Redemptionh:

1 - "Precious stones," in order that in the future, G-d will build Yerushalayim with precious pearls and stones.

2 - "Shemen Lamoer" (Oil to shine) this was in order to illuminate the B'nei Yisroel in the time of Moshiach, as it is written, (Hoshea 14:7) "And his radiance will be like an olive".

3 - "Spices for the oil ointment and for the incense". This was in order that the beautiful smell of the Jewish people will be spread out in the era of Moshiach.

* * *

"You command the children of Israel to bring you clear olive oil.. to cause the lamp to burn continuously.." (Tetzaveh 27:20)

All seven branches of the golden Menorah in the sanctuary were filled each day with pure oil.

The 'western branch' of the Menorah burned miraculously much longer than all others, beyond the norm of the oil it contained.

This miracle was a Heavenly sign attesting to the Divine Presence in Israel.

Of this Menorah we are told that Moses was puzzled by it: he did not know how to construct it. G-d then told him to simply cast the required amount of gold into fire and the Menorah was made of itself.

This raises a question: how did the Menorah differ from all the other vessels that had to be made for the Sanctuary that Moses was puzzled by it?

In fact, Moses had been shown the form and structure of the Menorah from Heaven, as it is written "according to the pattern that was shown to you" (Exodus 25:40); why then did he not know how to make it?

The Menorah was made of gold and for the purpose of illuminating the darkness in a way that would demonstrate to the whole world that the Divine Presence dwells in Israel.

This caused Moses to wonder: how can such a sublime thing be made of gold, of physical matter?

G-d thus answered him: humans are indeed unable to produce such an object, and it is done by the Almighty.

Man, however, must take the gold and cast it into fire. When man throws the gold into fire, G-d molds it into a Menorah which will radiate in t he Sanctuary.

This teaches us the following:

The destruction of the Sanctuary affected only a physical structure of wood and stones.

The Sanctuary is in the very core of every Jew's heart, however, that of which it is said "I shall dwell in their midst," it remains intact forever, in all times and under all circumstances.

When a Jew transforms all his possessions into a Sanctuary for G-d, the Almighty tells him to take his gold - his finest and most precious thing - and make of it a Menorah.

The Almighty says to him:

"Your study of Torah, your prayers, your mitzvot - all these are not enough for Me. I demand of you that you transform also your physical possessions into a Sanctuary for Me.

"Indeed, you will be unable to do so by yourself, thus I will do it. However, you have to cast the gold into the fire of your heart - [for within the heart of every Jew burns a fire for G-d] - and then I shall mold it into a Sanctuary. Moreover, it will emanate light unto the world and be a testimony that the Divine Presence dwells in you!"

When we effect this Menorah and Sanctuary of our own, this will of itself bring about the new Sanctuary and Menorah in Jerusalem that will come to us through Moshiach, may this happen NOW!.