Parshat Tetzave By: Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron בס”ד
לשכנו תדרשו
Discover the Holy Presence in the Holy Land
E = mc2
Albert Einstein’s famous formula E = mc2 states that the equivalent energy (E) can be calculated as the mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light (c = ~3×108 m/s) squared. Similarly, anything having energy exhibits a corresponding mass m given by its energy E divided by the speed of light squared c2. Because the speed of light is a large number in everyday units, the formula implies that even an everyday object at rest with a modest amount of mass has a very large amount of energy intrinsically.
In this Parsha, the commandments to take oil for the light of the Menora and the clothes of the Kohen are juxtaposed. What is the meaning of this?
There is a pasuk that says, “You] enwrap Yourself with light like a garment; [You] extend the heavens like a curtain.” This verse suggests an integral relationship between clothing and light. Actually, clothing in general is called “manei” which is also a generic term for “vessel” in Aramaic, a tongue considered by our Sages to be closely related to the Holy Tongue – Hebrew. In kabbalistic terms, the concept of “light” and vessel” are very closely linked, so that a “vessel” is essentially a combination of enjoining lights that are not uniform in nature which causes a lessening or “coarsening” of the original light causing the formation of the concept of a vessel.” In Einstein’s equation we may see a relationship between the material vessel, i.e matter and mass signified by “m”, and the “light” inherent in it, signified by the speed of light – “c.”. According to the Kabbalah, the enjoinment of the lights is described by multiplication. Ultimately, according to the Kabbalah, there are three components in the spiritual energy of the system: an “external light,” an “internal light,” and the “vessel” (Shaar Atik in E”H, see Sfekot Deatik). These three can be hinted to by the mass, i.e “the vessel,” times the speed of light, signifying the “external light,” times the speed of light again, signifying this time the “internal light.” It seems that the speed of light is used to denote light in general here, and not other elements of light, because speed represents vivacity, i.e the “living force” of a matter. It is this “living force” which brings about the “collision” and enjoinment [according to the Kabbalah this enjoinment is called a “collision”] of the two fore-mentioned types of light causing the more “coarsened” light of the “vessel.” In any case, we must note here that the “lights” and “vessels” that the Kabbalah deals with are spiritual identities that are very far from the physical identities discussed here. Nevertheless, the reason we use these terms is not for naught, and indeed these physical matters “hint” to lofty spiritual elements. Therefore, we can say that the physical laws and E = mc2 may hint to the spiritual “laws” of Above, as explained here.
It was from Hebron that Avraham set out on the first Jewish battle to save Lot, to whom King David, the great Warrior of Israel, was a descendant. Battle, “milchama,” is deeply rooted to the word “halchama” meaning to enjoin two entities into one whole. Indeed, a battle is the enjoining of two parties in a type of “collision” or mutual “eruption.” Indeed, Hebron means “connection and unity” and from this battle to save Lot emerged King David who united all Israel under the Davidic Kingdom which also began in Hebron. Ultimately, through this power of Israel we are able to fight the War upon Amalek, the special “War of Hashem from generation to generation,” which we read about this week in Parshat Zachor
Miracles from the Holy Land:
“I think about the Yom Kippur War. After some soldiers came back from the front, everyone gathered in one of the houses to greet them and hear about the latest news. It was a mixed crowd, with soldiers of all levels of Jewish observance. And they said: “You know how G-d promised the Maccabees that a small army would prevail over a mighty one? Well that’s what happened! It was a miracle! They could have taken Tzfat. Instead they retreated. It was Biblical. A real miracle right before our eyes!”
Source: https://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/809470/jewish/Miracles-in-Israel.htm