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Rashi explains that a two-stage process was necessary to prepare the olive oil. The olives were first crushed to express the first oil, which was required for lighting the menorah. They were then ground up to extract additional oil, which could be used for the menachos, meal offerings, but was not suitable for the menorah. This is consistent with the Talmud in Menachos 86a which states, “Crushed oil is required for the menorah, but crushed oil is not required for the menachos.” This halacha carries with it a simple, but profound, lesson. Horav Eliyahu Meir Kovner z.l., suggests that the…

It is interesting to note that the Torah places emphasis upon the Kohen Gadol’s crown. The Kohen Gadol had neither sovereignty nor power over Bnei Yisrael. His mission in life was to be Bnei Yisrael’s “agent” in the Bais Hamikdash by offering the korbanos and to be Bnei Yisrael’s preeminent teacher and spiritual mentor. It is, therefore, enigmatic that the Torah stresses his crown. In contrast, the Melech Yisrael, Jewish king, who was charged with ruling the people and did have jurisdiction over them, is not portrayed as having a crown. The only demand placed upon the king was that…

The Kohen Gadol’s position was passed on to his son after his death. The Talmud in Yoma 72b states that this halacha was not applicable to a Kohen Gadol who had been anointed specifically to lead Bnei Yisrael into war. The Mashuach Milchamah, the special Kohen Gadol who had received his position only for the purpose of leadership in battle, did not bequeath the kehunah gedolah, high priesthood, to his son. The Chofetz Chaim z.l. was once asked to decide a din Torah regarding a Rav of a community who had passed away. The members of the community chose to…