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Parashat Tetzaveh begins with the Mitzvah of lighting the Menorah. The Pasuk says “ואתה תצוה את בני ישראל ויקחו אליך שמן זית זך כתית למאור להעלת נרת תמיד,” “You [Moshe] shall further instruct Bnei Yisrael to bring to you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly” (Shemot 27:20). The רשב’’ם, quoting the מדרש, explains that this commandment is different from all of the other commandments related to the service of the משכן. The usage of the tense of ציווי, commandment, indicates that this Mitzvah isn’t just for the present generation, but applies to all future generations as well (ibid. s.v. ואתה תצוה). What makes the Mitzvah of lighting the Menorah different from all of the other Mitzvot that were done in the משכן and בית המקדש, which apply only to the generations with the משכן or בית המקדש? One key difference is that the Pasuk emphasizes that the Menorah must be continually lit unlike other Mitzvot in the משכן which could only be done at certain times. The Pasuk in משלי teaches that the Torah is compared to light: “כי נר מצוה ותורה אור,” “For the commandment is like a lamp, and the Torah is a light,” (6:23). בני ישראל always need the light of the Torah and this is why the Menorah needs to be continuously lit. Additionally, בני ישראל are called אור לגיים, or a light to the nations. It is our job to take the light of the Torah and transmit it to the world. This insight also explains why the Mitzvah is for all future generations even if there is no בית המקדש, because the world always needs the light of the Torah.