This week’s Parashah, Beha’alotcha, opens with an image of delicate sanctity: Aharon the Kohen is commanded to light the Menorah in the Mishkan. But the Torah doesn’t use the word “to light”. It says, “When you raise up the lights.”

Rashi explains: the flame must be lit until it rises on its own. The Kohen must kindle it patiently, carefully, until it becomes self-sustaining.

This phrase echoes with deep meaning — especially now.

As Israel responds to existential threats from Iran — including covert operations, missile attacks, and nuclear ambitions — many in the world are quick to judge. Some ask: Why must Israel act with such strength? Why respond at all?

But Torah teaches us that spiritual leadership — and national leadership — demands responsibility, not passivity. The same Aharon who quietly kindles the Menorah is also the same model of leadership who must sometimes take a stand for truth and justice.

There are times to light candles — and times to defend the flame.

Israel, like the Menorah, is meant to be a light to the nations. But no flame can survive in a hurricane without protection. In our parasha, the people of Israel begin their journey through the wilderness. They are vulnerable, anxious, surrounded by danger. God commands trumpets to be fashioned, to sound the alarm when danger approaches.

Why? Because being a people of light doesn’t mean being naïve. It means being ready. When life demands defense, Torah does not call us to be passive dreamers. It calls us to be holy guardians of life.

There is a painful paradox in Jewish history: we long for peace even as we are so often forced to fight. But that does not make us a people of war. It makes us a people who have survived.

And more: a people who have lit the world even after the deepest darkness.

Let us never forget: the goal is still to raise light.

To protect Israel is to protect a miracle — a flame that returned after 2,000 years, flickering through exile, pogrom, and Shoah, and still rising. We are not lighting this flame to burn others. We are lighting it so that our children — and all who seek goodness — will have a future.

May the leaders of Israel be blessed with the wisdom of Aharon: knowing when to raise the light gently — and when to sound the trumpet of warning.

And may we all remember – even when the world grows darker, our mission is unchanged — to be a light. To stand for life. To walk through the wilderness with faith, strength, and hope.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Refael Cohen