| "When
you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall illuminate the menorah."
[1]
Israel asks incredulously:
"You light the whole world and tell us to light the menorah?"
"Let us see light
in your light!" says the Holy One, "The little lights of your
menorah are more precious to me than the lights of all the stars I have
placed in the sky." [2]
This may be compared
to a king who had a beloved friend and told him one day, "I intend
to come to your home for a meal. Please make preparations."
His friend hurried
to set up the house, arranging his simple table and lamp. The king came
to visit surrounded by his entourage, preceded by a servant bearing a
lamp of gold. When the friend saw all the honor of the king, he became
embarrassed, and hurriedly hid all he had prepared, for it was all so
plain and common.
The king entered and
said, "Didn't I tell you I was coming? Why is nothing prepared?"
Said his beloved friend, "I saw all your honor and was embarrassed,
for all I prepared for you was common and simple."
Said the king, "I
swear to you! I reject everything I have. Out of love for you I want to
share only your simple things."
So too - the Holy
One is all Light, yet He tells Israel to light a menorah! And as soon
as they light the menorah, the Shechina (the Divine presence) arrives.
[3]
Does He then need
our light? Rather, it is testimony to all on earth that the Shechina depends
on the people of Israel. [4]
|
There
is a palace of light that opens only to one who occupies himself
with the light of Torah.
***
( Tikkunei Zohar, 13th century Spain)
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