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This week's Parsha, Parshat Beha'alotecha, begins with God telling Moshe to command Aharon, בהעלותך את הנרות אל מול פני המנורה יאירו שבעת הנרות - "When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall cast their light toward the face of the menorah."  Rashi addresses why the Torah uses the word "beha'alotecha" - when you raise up (the candles), instead of the more usual "when you light them." He explains that Aharon is to kindle the lamp until the flames rise on their own - עד שתהא שלהבת עולה מאליה.  From the word choice "beha'alotecha," to raise up, we understand Aharon's job is not just to light the flames of the menorah, but rather to also raise up the people and bring out their individual potential until the point when they could shine on their own.

Another important message is expressed by the structure of the menorah. The menorah is made up of 7 branches - a middle branch with 3 other branches on each side of it, whose wicks all faced the middle branch. Chana Weisberg suggests that Am Yisrael is represented by the 6 branches, and Hashem by the middle one. We are all on different paths, with different strengths and different personalities, and that is exactly as it should be - as long as we are all faced in the same direction, toward Hashem. This teaches that we cannot and should not try to mold people into the image we think is best for them.  Instead, we need to give room for them to mold their own image and their own direction, while providing support and guidance of course.  This is the best way to raise each other up and help each other shine independently.

This theme of raising people up and supporting each other until the point when we can each stand independently is seen in another episode in this parsha as well.  Moshe selects 70 Elders and bestows some of his spirit upon them so that they too are able to become prophets.  According to some interpretations of the phrase ויתנבאו ולא יספו, once Moshe gave them the ability to receive prophecy, it did not cease.  In other words, Moshe granted them the ability to be prophets, and then they were able to continue doing so on their own.

I think it's very fitting that we read this parsha as we spend our last Shabbat together in Israel as Midreshet Amit. We have all spent this year growing and molding ourselves into the individuals we want to be, but never felt like we were on our own or stifling any of the aspects that make each of us unique. We have all helped light the flame inside each other regardless of where we came from because we all had the common goal of growth and finding our proper paths. Since the year must come to an end, I feel confident that we are all leaving here bright and raised up and ready to shine on our own in our homes and college campuses.