Parshat Behaalotecha

In this week's Torah portion, Aharon is instructed to light,
The beautiful Menorah so bright,
There are many lessons that we can learn,
From the flames that did burn.

"When you raise up the lamps," are the words the Torah does use,
The word "kindle" or "light" why doesn't the Torah choose?
Rashi explains that the wick may not be left alone,
Until it can stand on its own!

Aharon's task was to raise up every soul,
To bring out the great potential was his goal,
Like a Kohen we must try to be,
The great potential within every Jew we must see.

A smile, compliment or a kind word can bring delight,
A soul it can uplift and ignite,
This doesn't just apply to a stranger,
It applies to a sibling, child or neighbor.

Cell phones should be put away,
Pay attention to a friend or spouse right away,
At their side we must remain,
Until they can light another flame.

The Menorah was made by Hashem we are told,
It was hammered out of one piece of gold,
It had 7 branches with cups and flowers,
Representing 7 holy soul powers.

We don't have to all be the same,
To fit into a cookie cutter mold isn't our aim,
There are different ways to serve Hashem,
Hashem appreciates every one of them.

Be proud of who you are,
You are a shining star,
You can bring light wherever you go,
Because of the sensitivity and kindness you show.

We need to remember that we have one goal,
We are all part of one whole,
We aren't 7 branches stuck together,
We are one forever.

Souvenir: flashlight