In the book of Numbers (8:2), Aaron, the high priest and first Rodef Shalom (pursuer of peace), is charged with lighting the menorah of 7 lights in the Temple. Rabbi Yackov Yosef HaCohen (mid 18th century, student of the Ba’al Shem Tov) and Hassidic master, explains that Aaron was worthy of lighting the candles because as a pursuer of peace, he was uniquely able to connect the candles on the left and the candles on the right, each representing different aspects of truth.
As we light our Hanukkah candles, may we, too, merit to be pursuers of peace like Aaron, connecting all the different lights within our communities, uniting them together in bringing even greater light into our world!
