Machshavot HaLev - Yeshivat Lev HaTorah

167
Beha’alotecha
To Be Sad is Not a Tragedy
Rav Jake Vidomlanski
R ashi, in his opening commentary to this week’s parasha, endeavors to explain
why the Torah repeats the details of the lighting of the menorah and its construction.
Citing the Midrash, he explains that after the ministers from each tribe offered their
sacrifices Aharon felt a wave of despondency overcome him. He too was a minister;
why was he not privileged to bring a sacrifice and represent his tribe? As solace, God
reminded him that he was accorded the daily privilege of kindling and preparing
the lamps. Therefore, immediately following the story of the ministers’ sacrifices, we
encounter the laws of the menorah again.
It is interesting to note the language the Midrash uses. Sensing Aharon’s gloominess,
Hashem tells him, “I swear by your life, yours is greater than theirs.” Rav Moshe
Wolfson, in his work Emunat Itecha, quotes from two Hassidic masters who interpret
the term “yours” as meaning “your sense of disappointment and depression,” which
was “greater than theirs,” meaning greater than their actual sacrifices.
There are times in life when a person is coasting in his devotion and service to God.
Waking up for prayers is effortless, blessings before and after food roll of the tongue
with meaning and purpose, Torah study is pleasurable and sweet, all cylinders are a
go. Yet, there are times when a person struggles mightily in his devotion and service
to God. Waking up for prayers is all but impossible, blessings before and after food are
at best forced, at worst forgotten, the mere idea of Torah study is painful, all cylinders
are at a standstill. Unfortunately, it is not all that uncommon for a person in the latter