Parashas Tetzaveh - Pure Oil

This week's parasha starts off by commanding us what kind of oil to bring to ignite the menora. The Torah says, “Bring clear olive oil, [made from olives that were] crushed for lighting, to keep the lamp burning constantly.”

There are specific details in this one posuk:

(a) The Sisfei Chochomim points out that the word 'tamid' - constantly - can either mean regularly or continuously. In this context, it's 'regularly', since the menora is only lit until the mornings and not throughout the day.

(b) Rashi says that 'clear olive oil' means it should be without sediment. It's the purest, very first drops which come out of olives.

(c) And that he must kindle it until the flame ascends on it's own and not through the spark. The Gur Aryeh explains he should not just let the wick catch a spark and then go on to the next one, rather, he must keep holding the kindled flame until the wick has caught on fire.

It's interesting because a flame represents a neshama. Just like the flame's motion is continuously rising, so too, a Jew's neshama strives to continuously rise. In other words, a Jew should always make sure his/her spiritual goal is to elevate his/her neshama - to do the Ratzon Hashem.

Additionally, the olive represents the chitzoniyus (externals) a.k.a. the body, and the olive oil represents the pnimiyus (internals) a.k.a. the neshoma. The light emanating from the flame represents the Jew.

The posuk seems to be alluding to the role of a Jew as well as the requirements of the menora lighting. A combination between the clear olive oil (purity,) the flame (ascending motion,) and the light (a Jew,) hints that a Jew's role in serving Hashem is to remain pure and to always elevate his neshoma.

LaYehudim Hai'sa Ora, vSimcha, vSason, v'Ikar. Ken tih'Yeh Lanu!

Have a wonderful Shabbos and Chag Kasher vSameach,

Nisso