'"בבקר בבקר בהטיבו את הנרות יקטירנה. ובהעלות אהרן את הנרות בין הערבים יקטירנה וגו"
'שמות ל', ז'- ח
Every morning when he cleans the lamps he shall burn it (the ketores). When Aharon kindles the lamps in the afternoon he shall burn it.
The Gemorah relates (יומא לט:), that although the ketores was burned in a private enclosed area of the Bais Hamikdosh, its aroma was so pungent that the use of perfume became unnecessary in Yerushalyaim. In fact the aroma was discernable even in the distant Yericho.
Horav Hagoan Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l explains that the lesson to be learnt is that leading a life totally dedicated to Torah and the serving of Hashem with all one’s capabilities automatically affects others, influencing them to increase their avodas Hashem, similar to the ketores.
In this manner, the juxtaposition of the kindling of the menorah and the burning of the ketores can be understood, for just as the light of the menorah illuminated distant areas, so too the effect of the ketores was felt even from afar.
As mechanchim, we have the opportunity on a daily basis to light the way for our students by our words and our actions. They observe our behaviors and mannerisms and it influences then from close and far.
About the Author: Rabbi Yisroel Meir Rubinfeld
Rabbi Rubinfeld has been in the field of Torah education for over 3 decades and serves as an Executive School Consultant for Torah Umesorah. He provides an array of services to schools across North America, including teacher and principal mentorship, school and curricula evaluations, professional development and parent education.
Rabbi Rubinfeld's expertise includes classroom management and discipline, effective instruction, bullying, cultivating sensitivity in the classroom, impulse disorders (such as ADHD and ODD), and balancing the educational needs of mainstream and special needs children in the classroom.
Rabbi Rubinfeld is the also the founder and director of Torah Umesorah's Lilmod U'Lilamed department which provides professional development for teachers and principals throughout the year.
Rabbi Rubinfeld is a talmid of the distinguished Yeshivos of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, the Mirrer Yeshiva in Yerushalayim and Bais Medrash Govoha in Lakewood.
