20 Feb PARASHAT TETZAVEH: RISING TO THE TOP

In the beginning of
Parashat Tetzaveh,
Hashem commands
Beneh Yisrael to provide
pure olive oil for the
kindling of the menorah.
Our Rabbis teach that olive
oil was used for the menorah because the
Jewish Nation is compared to olive oil.
This is for two reasons. The first reason is
that just as an olive produces its greatest
quality – its oil – when it is squeezed and
pressed, the Jewish Nation shows its true
greatness when it is “squeezed,” in times
of crisis and distress. Perhaps nowhere is
this more clearly demonstrated than in
our community.
The moment any family in our
community faces any sort of crisis, such
as a serious medical issue, Heaven forbid,
the entire community is instantly
mobilized. Hesed groups jump right in to
offer whatever practical assistance the
family needs, such as bringing meals,
shopping, and caring for the children.
Within hours, Tehillim groups are formed
to pray for the patient. Special mitzvot

are performed and special Torah classes
are given. When we are “pressed,” in
times of hardship, we shine our brightest.
But there is also another – no less
important – reason why our nation is
compared to olive oil. When olive oil is
mixed with any other liquid, it rises to the
top. It does not blend in. The Jewish
Nation is expected to “rise to the top.”
Even if we are “mixed” with other
cultures, living in a foreign society and
engaging in that society, we are expected
to stay to the top, to follow a higher
standard. This does not mean that we
should arrogantly look down on the rest
of the society. It just means that we must
keep to a higher standard, and live a more
elevated lifestyle. It means that what’s
deemed acceptable by the society around
us should not necessarily be deemed
acceptable to us. In general society, if a
five-year-old uses profanity, people are
shocked. The parents will discipline the
child and harshly reprimand him. But if a
25-year-old uses profanity, nobody cares.
It is considered perfectly normal and
acceptable. For us, it should be just the

opposite. If a young child
uses a bad word, he
should certainly be
taught to speak properly,
but there is no need for
shock or horror. After all,
he is still very young and
still has a lot to learn. But
if an adult uses such a
word, we should be
shocked.
This is unacceptable.
Partying with lots of
alcohol is perfectly
normal and acceptable
for college kids today. In
fact, it is considered an
integral part of the college experience.
This is not how it should be for us. We
are to live a more refined and more
elevated life. We are to rise to the top,
and not accept the lifestyle and standards
that the rest of society accepts. Parashat
Tetzaveh also speaks about the special
clothing worn by the kohanim, and the
Torah says that these garments are worn
L’Kavod V’Lteferet – “for honor and

glory.” The word Kavod comes from the
word Kaveid – “heavy.” We are to live
lives with substance, with meaning, with
purpose and with depth, not lives that are
hollow and empty. When we live this
way, then we also live L’Teferet –
bringing glory to ourselves, to our
community, to our nation, and to Hashem.
May we all strive to rise to the top, and
to live lives that are truly glorious.