Parshas Va'era: How Do You Appreciate?

I heard this message from Rabbi Yissocher Frand quite some time ago, but it's one that really resonates with me.

Prior to detailing all the makkos (plagues) and the eventual Exodus, the Torah details the genealogy of the Children of Israel, beginning with the first 3 tribes - Reuven, Shimon, Levi.

The Shel"ah HaKadosh points out, that in contrast to the first 2 tribes, when the Torah reaches Levi, it lists his sons in order of birth.

Why is that?

The Shel"ah provides a powerful answer. Our sages tell us that the tribe of Levi was actually not included in the enslavement. Levi knew prophetically that his children would not endure any suffering.

Concerned that his descendants wouldn't be able to relate to the pain of their brethren, Levi gave each of his children a name that corresponded or related somehow to the enslavement.

Parshas B'Ha'aloscha: Beyond the Glamour

In today's day and age, in the world of the "instant", only the obvious gets noticed. Unfortunately, this means that which is most noticeable is mistaken to be the most meaningful and important. Oftentimes, this couldn't be further from the truth.

Parshas B'Ha'aloscha begins with the commandment for Aharon HaKohein to kindle the Menorah daily, as well as attend to its basic maintenance. Rashi quotes the famous Tanchuma which asks:

למה נסמכה פרשת המנורה לפרשת הנשיאים, לפי שכשראה אהרן חנוכת הנשיאים חלשה דעתו, שלא היה עמהם בחנוכה, לא הוא ולא שבטו, אמר לו הקב"ה חייך, שלך גדולה משלהם, שאתה מדליק ומטיב את הנרות:

Why is the portion dealing with the menorah juxtaposed to the portion dealing with the chieftains? For when Aaron saw the dedication [offerings] of the chieftains, he felt distressed over not joining them in this dedication-neither he nor his tribe. So God said to him, “By your life, yours is greater than theirs, for you will light and prepare the lamps.” - [Tanchuma Beha’alothecha 3]

The obvious question is, why is this a satisfactory compensation? And why is the preparation and lighting of the Menorah greater than the extensive gifts and Korbanos brought by the Nesi'im?