THIS WEEK'S MESSAGE
                       IS DEDICATED
                      IN MEMORY OF
            ABRAHAM BEN ROSA A'H
BY EDDIE AND HELEN SHAMAH AND FAMILY

Aharon and his sons shall arrange it [the Menorah] from evening until morning ,before Hashem.... And you, Bring near to yourself Aharon your brother, and his sons with him... [Shemot 27:21]

    
      Rav Moshe Feinstein a’h explains that Aharon was chosen to light the Menorah in the Tabernacle even before he was selected to serve as the Kohen. The reason is because the character of Aharon was most suitable for this task. Because of his sterling character, not lineage, he was given the honor to serve in his capacities in the Holy Temple.

The Menorah symbolized the "light" of knowledge and Aharon was pure in character, which meant that he was the one who could best fill the job of teacher to the masses.

     From the Menorah we also see that the efforts put into education of our children must be with all of our effort and ability regardless of the innate abilities of the student.  First, the oil used for sacrifices had to be pure olive oil but the oil used for the Menorah had to be form the special first oil that is 100% free of any impurities. The teacher must teach in a clear manner so that the student will understand perfectly and not be lead to make any error. It is important to note that in the short nights of summer and the long nights of winter exactly 1 log of oil was put in each cup of the Menorah and was expected to burn until morning. Rav Moshe says this teaches that one must put as much effort into teaching a student who is sharp and learns quickly as one puts into a student who might have difficulty in understanding and retaining the teacher's lessons. In the case of the hi i q student one must not take for granted that his ability will make him successful. In regard to the slower learner one must not give up because one feels perhaps all the time and energy spent will be futile at the end of the day. The Torah therefore commands that the amount of oil put into the Menorah in a short summer night must be the same as the amount of oil used for a long winter evening. In both cases the purity must be 100%. May we all pray for the Heavenly assistance and the human patience to successfully educate our beloved little ones in the ways of our fathers.
Shabbat Shalom