We will read on Shabbos at the start of the Parsha:
וידבר ה’ אל־משה לאמר דַּבֵּר֙ אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֔ן וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֵלָ֑יו בְּהַעֲלֹֽתְךָ֙ אֶת־הַנֵּרֹ֔ת אֶל־מוּל֙ פְּנֵ֣י הַמְּנוֹרָ֔ה יָאִ֖ירוּ שִׁבְעַ֥ת הַנֵּרֽוֹת
Traditionally, this verse is translated : Speak to Aaron and say to him, “When you light the candles, let the seven candles give light towards the middle of the lampstand.”
This is however not the correct translation of the word בְּהַעֲלֹֽתְךָ֙, which means “when you elevate the candles”. – Indeed the question must be asked, why was Aharon instructed to “elevate” the candles, rather than simply “light” the candles…
Many, (mainly Hasidic) commentators are referring to the “candles” as an allegory to human beings. (Based on the Verse in Proverbs – “נר ה’ נשמת אדם” – The soul of a person is the “candle” of G’d)
So, if we follow this idea, the instruction to Ahron is much broader than just a reference to his daily holy routine of “lightning the candles”. Rather – it is an instruction on how to treat people!
Ahron was one of the most famous leaders that Am Yisrael ever had. Here, G’d instructs him that in order to bring out the “light” in people – he should not (as many leaders at his time, and unfortunately even nowadays!) try and just order them what to do. Rather – he must at first uplift them, raise their own Neshama, their soul, and only so will they “give their own light towards the center of Klal Yisrael”.
This is a most important lesson to all. In order to get people to bring out their best, whether in their private lives, studies, or even at work, – Raise them, elevate their own self confidence and (only) then will we thrive as individuals and a nation. ‘
Shabbat Shalom and best wishes
Rabbi Chaim Michael Biberfeld