Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Chaim Saidian
When you kindle the lamps, toward the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps cast light (Bamidbar 8:2)
Here is how Rav Moshe Feinstein explains the connection. We know that the Menorah that was lit in the temple symbolized the study of Torah. The first part of the command, which was lighting the flames until they ascend by themselves, symbolizes the following. The Torah is limitless, so when a teacher wishes to teach his pupils the Torah, he needs to do it so thoroughly that they will be able to ultimately understand by themselves how to decide when any question comes up, and how to behave in any given situation.
However, some students may not understand how to grasp the true meaning and its depth, and may eventually unwillingly mislead others. Therefore, the Torah commands the second half of the commandment, which was that the lamps must be kindled toward the central lamp. This indicates that whenever a Rabbi or teacher wishes to present a new point in the Torah, he must delve into the works of the early authorities, and tread in the path of his mentors, from whom he learned and was trained, and trace the steps of the Torah authorities of his generation. These represent the central lamp, and by following this path one can ensure that he will never err.