Lights XXI

“Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:3) We must not allow ourselves to blame the “times,” i.e. our circumstances and resultant despair for the deterioration in our spiritual standards. They are not the cause of all this for God has said, “Let there be light!”

The author of Tikkunei HaZohar has pointed out that the numerical value of the word ‘Raz,” secret, is the same as the numerical value of the word ‘Or,’ light. The light referred to in our verse is the light of redemption.

God decreed that this light shall remain hidden until it will be revealed by the Messiah.

In the interval until then it will remain hidden like a treasure.

Concerning the time when this light will be revealed, God has said, “I have revealed it to My heart but My heart has not revealed it to My mouth.” (Or Hachayim Hakadosh, translated by Eliyahu Munk)

Application:
The light of the Chanukah candles symbolizes the Light of Redemption for us as much as it did for the Chashmonaim. We should reflect, while the candles burn, on our own experiences of redemption, to be able to grab onto that light and live with redemption.