<b>Pure olive oil beaten for the light (Exod. 27:20).</b> You find that a person standing in the dark can observe what is transpiring in a lighted place. However, anyone standing in a lighted place is unable to observe what is happening in the dark. The Holy One, blessed be He, however, can see in the dark or in the light, as it is said: <i>He knoweth what is in the darkness</i>, etc. (Dan. 2:22).
R. Judah the son of Eleazar said: On that day He set (the sun) within its casing. Whence do we know that? That is what is written: <i>In them hath he set a tent for the sun</i> (Ps. 19:5). At the time of the summer solstice, however, it leaves its casing in order to ripen the fruits. However, the world is hardly able to tolerate the sun. Why? Because its light is so intense. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Though you are unable to endure the light that I created, I desire a light nevertheless. Why did they prepare the olive oil? They noticed that the trees had produced excellent olives, and so they took them and crushed them. The first oil pressed out was set aside for the lamp, and the second was set aside for the meal-offering in order to fulfill the verse: <i>Pure olive oil beaten for the light</i>.
The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Tell the Israelites that in this world my sons are responsible for the light in the Sanctuary and must kindle it, but in the Messianic days, because of that lamp, I will bring you a Messiah who is likened unto a lamp, as it is said: <i>There will I make a horn to shoot up unto David, there have I ordered a lamp for Mine anointed</i> (Ps. 132:17).
<i>Whosoever offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving honoreth Me; and to him that ordereth his way aright will I show the salvation of God</i> (ibid. 50:23). R. Menahem the son of Yosé said: This verse alludes to those who light lamps in dark alleys for the benefit of the public. R. Simeon the son of Lakish declared: Saul was worthy of kingship because his grandfather lit lamps in dark alleys for the sake of the public. One verse tells us: <i>And Ner</i> (“light”) <i>begot Kish</i> (I Chron. 8:33), and another verse says: <i>Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel</i> (I Sam. 14:51). In this verse he was called Abiel, but because he lit lamps in dark alleys for the public good he was also called Ner (“light”). The Holy One, blessed be He, declared: In this world you require a light, but in the future, <i>Nations shall walk at thy light, and kings at the brightness of thy horizon</i> (Isa: 60:30).