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    PARASHAT BEHAALOTECHA: MAINTAINING ENTHUSIASM FOR MISVOT

    P a r a s h a t

    Beh a a l o t e c h a

    begins with the

    Misva of the

    Menorah, which

    was kindled by the

    Kohen each

    afternoon in the Bet Hamikdash. The Torah

    outlines the basic requirements of this Misva,

    and then concludes, “Va’ya’as Ken Aharon” –

    “Aharon did so.” Meaning, Aharon, the Kohen

    Gadol, complied with this command and

    kindled the Menorah as he was commanded.

    Rashi, commenting on this verse, writes that

    the Torah here gives praise to Aharon “She’lo

    Shina” – because he did not deviate from

    Hashem’s command. This is the meaning of

    “Va’ya’as Ken Aharon” – that Aharon is

    praiseworthy for doing as he was told and not

    deviating from Hashem’s instructions. The

    question naturally arises as to why Aharon

    was deserving of special praise for complying

    with this command. If we were given an

    explicit command from Hashem, wouldn’t we

    eagerly abide? Moreover, Aharon was not just

    given a command, but also blessed with a

    special privilege, of being the first one to ever

    kindle the Menorah in the Mishkan. Is it not

    obvious that he would do as he was told? Why

    does he deserve special praise for fulfilling the

    command of the Menorah? To answer this

    question, we might observe the way a Bar

    Mitzva boy approaches the Misva of Tefillin

    after his Bar Mitzva. When he puts them on

    for the first time, he is overjoyed and takes

    special pride in his new pair of Tefillin. He

    lovingly places the box on his arm, recites the

    Beracha and wraps the strap. Gradually,

    however, the excitement wanes, and just a

    year or so later, he puts on his Tefillin

    thoughtlessly, hardly even thinking about the

    fact that he is fulfilling a Biblical command.

    This is what naturally happens when we grow

    accustomed to something. The initial

    excitement and enthusiasm gradually

    diminishes, and we perform the action

    perfunctorily, without much feeling or

    emotion. The Sages cited by Rashi praise

    Aharon “She’lo Shina,” which literally means,

    “because he did not change.” The enthusiasm

    with which he kindled the Menorah the first

    time remained throughout the years. Each and

    every time he performed the Misva, he did it

    with the same excitement and awe with which

    he had kindled the lamps the first time. How

    we do follow Aharon’s example? How can we

    retain some level of excitement and

    enthusiasm for the actions we perform each

    and every day, such as prayer, Berachot, Sisit

    and Tefillin? The answer is that we must

    recognize what a privilege each and every

    Misva is. Imagine if we were asked to do a

    certain favor for the President of the United

    States every week. Wouldn’t we relish the

    opportunity? Wouldn’t we approach it with

    vigor and excitement, and carefully attend to

    every detail? And wouldn’t we do the favor

    even if we felt tired or a bit under the weather?

    After all, when presented with such a

    privilege, who would let a little lethargy or the

    flu get in the way? Hashem is far more

    powerful and important than the President,

    than any head of state or person on earth. Each

    day, He graciously gives us the privilege of

    serving Him, speaking with Him, and doing

    what He wants. The more we recognize what a

    precious opportunity each Misva is, the greater

    excitement and enthusiasm we will invest in

    our Misvot, and the more meaningful and

    fulfilling they will be.