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Aaron, the high Priest, was responsible for setting up the Menorah. The verse states that “Aaron did so” (8:3). The famous Torah commentary, Rashi, explains this to mean that Aaron did not deviate from God’s instruction. However, we expect nothing less of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, to implicitly follow God’s word. So what does this mean?
Lesson:
The famous Torah commentary, Sfat Emet comments on Rashi that this means that Aaron’s enthusiasm remained just as bright, even years after doing the same thing day in and day out, as when he did it the very first time.
Lighting the menorah was a holy experience. However, even holy experiences can be distorted to mundane, robotic, and boring incidents when performed every single day. Monotony and routine often obstruct our intention and connection to what we are doing. However, this did not deter Aaron. He connected on such a deep level, in search for connection, gratitude, and love of God and His Mitzvot and thus was able to maintain excitement and delight in doing the same thing over and over again.
However, maybe one could think that Aaron had the exulted task of lighting the menorah – the source of light in the holy Mishkan, tabernacle, that spread light to the entire world! If we had such an exalted task, we would also perform it with enthusiasm and vigor each time! However, when we really analyze Aaron’s task, we see that even this exulted task was accompanied by mundane parts. Not only was Aaron responsible for lighting the menorah, but also for cleaning out the wicks from the previous day’s lights. Yet, Aaron performed this aspect of the job with such attention, love, and joy. He recognized that this part as well is just as important in his service to God.
How are we able to maintain this level of enthusiasm as Aaron did? The key is recognizing the point of the mitzvah. God has allowed us to infuse our every aspect of our daily lives with ways to connect to Him, refine our character, and fulfill our highest potential. From the way eat, tie our shoes, get dressed in the morning – there is not one stratum of our lives that is not someway infused with holiness. When we recognize that these tasks are not obligations but rather golden opportunities – it becomes a completely different experience.
Our Sages tell us that the reward for mitzvot in the world to come (BE”H after 180 years old) is so pleasurable that all the pleasure combined in an entire lifetime does not compare to a minute in the next world. God wants to shower us with pleasure and reward but the biggest pleasure is when you earn it. This idea is reflected even in the different levels of tzedakah, charity, with the highest level being to give a person a job to earn his money instead of just giving him a handout.
Aside from the immeasurable rewards we are reaping in the next world, the mitzvot themselves gives us pleasure in this world as well. If we approach the many mitzvot we perform throughout the day as opportunities to become closer to our Creator, refine our character, and fulfill our highest potential, it brings about a new dimension to every mitzvah we perform.
Exercise: Pick one mizvah to do with more kavana (intention). Learn something about it or try to gain a new perspective such that you feel more connected next time you perform the Mitzvah. Every time you perform it this week, try to think about why you are performing that mitzvah and feel more connected to God through it.
