Until the Flame Rises Up on its Own 

The portion of Beha’lotcha begins with a description of Aaron being commanded by God to light the menorah: “God spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and say to him: “When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall cast their light toward the face of the menorah. Aaron did so; he lit the lamps toward the face of the menorah, as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Numbers 8: 1-3).

Regarding the commandment given to Aaron, the High Priest, to light the menorah, Rashi comments that it was to be lit “until the flame rises up on its own [power]” (ad hashelhevet olah me’aleha). The simple meaning is that Aaron is obligated to not only light the lights but to make sure they will stay lit on their own. Spiritually, this means that a superficial love of God from obligation or a sense of duty will not do, as that is something that is imposed from without. Rather, true love of God must be self-generated and approached in a manner that assures that it will be an intimate and passionate love that will stay lit through all the ups and downs of life. This can only occur through a fiery, deeply felt, fervent love.

The phrase “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might,” which appears in the first passage of the Shema, recited twice daily, equals 737, the same as the word shalhevet, “a flame,” used in Rashi’s explanation. This teaches us that true love of God should be experienced and expressed as a burning passion, an all-encompassing illuminated state of consciousness that only occurs when focusing that love, “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”