“When you kindle the lamps toward the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps illuminate.”

(Bamidbar 8:2)

This is comparable to a king who said to his dear friend: “I wish to have a feast in your home.” The friend arranged a simple bed a simple lamp and a simple table. The king arrived accompanied by his servants who surrounded him with golden lamps. When the friend saw the honor accorded to the king he was abashed and hid the simple furnishings he’d prepared.

The king said: “Didn’t I tell you I would be eating at your home? Why did you not prepare anything for me?” The friend answered: “When I saw the magnificent vessels your servants brought I was ashamed of my own simple furnishings and hid them.” The king replied: “I swear that by virtue of your love for me I will use only your vessels and discard my own.”

Similarly Hashem is the Source of all light yet He asks the Jewish People to prepare a Menorah and candles for Him .

Why indeed does the king require his host’s simple furnishings? Because he is not looking for furnishings at all — he wants to be hosted. The king has everything in his treasure houses — gold silver gems and every precious vessel — but there’s no “hospitality” in his treasure houses.… A gracious host puts his whole self into his hospitality and that is something the king lacks.

Thus Hashem turns to Aharon HaKohein and says: I don’t need the light of candles or a Menorah. I need “the kindling” of the lights — your deeds the light you bring forth. I need your hospitality Aharon. (Rav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi shlita Birkas Mordechai)

I met Lily a former coworker many years ago. She was a young woman at the outset of her spiritual journey. She trod the path tremulously hesitantly putting one foot in front of the other.

One afternoon we were busy working on an important project when a dull pounding in my head reminded me of the sandwich in my bag. I hadn’t eaten anything since my morning coffee.

“Go eat” Lily said amiably. “I’ll take over while you take a lunch break.”

“First I need a cup.”

“A cup? Are you eating or drinking?”

“Well if I want to eat I need to wash my hands…. I need a washing cup.”

“Why?”

“Why what?” I asked. “Why do we wash netilas yadayim or why from a cup?”

“Neither! What I want to know is why does Hashem care?!”

“What!?”

“That’s exactly what I ask myself a thousand times a day” she answered heatedly. “I see so much beauty in the big picture of Yiddishkeit. Shabbos chesed Yom Kippur shul.… it moves me and it makes so much sense. But why get hung up on a cup instead of a bottle? Wash with exactly this much water don’t touching anything don’t dry your hands on your clothes don’t talk eat a k’zayis.… Why does G-d care about all these trivial details?”

I don’t remember what I answered her then. But I thought about it later.

You’re right Lily — He doesn’t need our cup or k’zayis. Your kedushah and merits don’t change Him. He’s the King of kings His glory fills the world and there’s nothing on earth you can give Him.

But He wants your heart Lily. He wants to see you going the extra mile even when you don’t understand the logic; when halachos seem like mundane trivialities. To do it only because of your love for Him.

The nimshal varies from the mashal in one respect.

In truth all Hashem wants is the best for His children Bnei Yisrael and no one can appreciate the value of this act of candlelighting better than He. Through this mitzvah it is the “host” — the “giver” and the “candle lighter” himself — who gains immeasurably in terms of his personal spiritual growth.

When Hashem commands us to “kindle the lights” He expresses His desire to shower us with goodness and pleasure. (ibid.)

He just wants us Lily.