Rebbe Nachman teaches (Likutey Moharan lesson 49) that initially, when a person begins his pursuit in serving Hashem, he experiences an intense light containing within it a special feeling of closeness and oneness with Hashem.
In a sense this experience is overwhelming and "blinds" the person from properly functioning and doing what he has to do in life. Because of this, it is not the ideal state in which Hashem wants a person to stay in.
This seems ironic since you would think that this is the ultimate goal - to feel this oneness and closeness with Hashem 24/7! Yet, this is not the ideal state since being totally "nullified" with Hashem does not at all show or reveal the Kingship and Authority of Hashem in the world. For just as a mortal king needs his subjects in order to reveal his authority and kingship, so too Hashem, so to speak, "needed" to create the universe with mankind as the focal-point in order to have a recipient who could receive and accept Hashem's Kingship and Authority.
Thus, being totally in a state of "oneness" with Hashem does not allow for Hashem's Kingship to be revealed - there has to be some type of division and separation allowing for the discerning between the King and His subjects - the giver and the recipient.
To allow for this separation a constriction of this intense light is needed.
This constriction - which seemingly reflects and represents the exact opposite of the Godly experience/oneness - allows for a separation to exist between Hashem and mankind - giver and receiver. This then enables Hashem's Kingship to be revealed in the world in a measured and usable level.
The catch to this, however, is that this constriction allows for doubts and negative thoughts and conclusions to enter a persons mind. He is faced with a major test to "misinterpret" the constriction as something negative and false, such as for example "Hashem doesn't want me", or: "He doesn't really care about me", or: "He doesn't need me" etc.
This test, the major area of free will, is the main determinant in how a person will live his life. His properly and positively interpreting life's situations/constrictions will allow for him to properly "reveal" Hashem's Kingship in his life and to the world at large.
Thus, the purpose of the constriction/darkness is to be able to reveal Hashem's Kingship/light in a level and perspective that will connect a person to His oneness in a way that will not be blinding. However, this is determined by how much a person positively thinks and looks at life's difficult/dark/constricting situations as a growing opportunity and not as a set-back. Then, the constriction develops into being a new dimension and "creation" in serving Hashem in a measured format with a step-by-step process in revealing His Kingship.
(For more on this subject please listen to: LIKUTEY MOHARAN LESSON 49)
In a sense this experience is overwhelming and "blinds" the person from properly functioning and doing what he has to do in life. Because of this, it is not the ideal state in which Hashem wants a person to stay in.
This seems ironic since you would think that this is the ultimate goal - to feel this oneness and closeness with Hashem 24/7! Yet, this is not the ideal state since being totally "nullified" with Hashem does not at all show or reveal the Kingship and Authority of Hashem in the world. For just as a mortal king needs his subjects in order to reveal his authority and kingship, so too Hashem, so to speak, "needed" to create the universe with mankind as the focal-point in order to have a recipient who could receive and accept Hashem's Kingship and Authority.
Thus, being totally in a state of "oneness" with Hashem does not allow for Hashem's Kingship to be revealed - there has to be some type of division and separation allowing for the discerning between the King and His subjects - the giver and the recipient.
To allow for this separation a constriction of this intense light is needed.
This constriction - which seemingly reflects and represents the exact opposite of the Godly experience/oneness - allows for a separation to exist between Hashem and mankind - giver and receiver. This then enables Hashem's Kingship to be revealed in the world in a measured and usable level.
The catch to this, however, is that this constriction allows for doubts and negative thoughts and conclusions to enter a persons mind. He is faced with a major test to "misinterpret" the constriction as something negative and false, such as for example "Hashem doesn't want me", or: "He doesn't really care about me", or: "He doesn't need me" etc.
This test, the major area of free will, is the main determinant in how a person will live his life. His properly and positively interpreting life's situations/constrictions will allow for him to properly "reveal" Hashem's Kingship in his life and to the world at large.
Thus, the purpose of the constriction/darkness is to be able to reveal Hashem's Kingship/light in a level and perspective that will connect a person to His oneness in a way that will not be blinding. However, this is determined by how much a person positively thinks and looks at life's difficult/dark/constricting situations as a growing opportunity and not as a set-back. Then, the constriction develops into being a new dimension and "creation" in serving Hashem in a measured format with a step-by-step process in revealing His Kingship.
(For more on this subject please listen to: LIKUTEY MOHARAN LESSON 49)
* * *
The Chanukah lights too serve to relay this scenario.
We light candles in the darkness - the dark winter nights of Kislev/Tevet and after nightfall - showing that this holy light - the light of the Torah, the Holy Temple, the Infinite Light etc. - is specifically "revealed" from within the darkness/constriction.
The Greeks came to blot out and wipe away this light by forcing us into the darkness with their evil decrees, with the intent that we think and see only negative. However, the Chashmonaim, with their good thoughts of hope and holiness, were able to push away the influence of the Greeks, thus revealing the light of the Holy Temple - the source of all pure and good thoughts - for the entire Jewish nation.
The impact of revealing light from such a dark situation is so powerful that the experience of connecting to this light has lasted until today, over 2,000 years later. The benefit of this light - the Chanukah light - is that it helps enable every Jew to think positive thoughts in his personal struggle through the darkness/constriction that he goes through in life - on condition that he wants to connect to it.
Thus we light the Chanukah candles in a progressive manner, advancing step-by-step. This indicates the step-by-step advancement of revealing Hashem's Kingship and Authority through good deeds due to the measured amount and revelation of this light from within the darkness/constriction.
There must also be a separation between each candle (i.e. you are not allowed to light the candles together in a single container), indicating also that the light of the Chanukah menorah must be revealed step-by-step between separations of darkness/constriction.
We also light 8 candles. The number 8 is synonymous with the Sefirah of Binah, which corresponds to the heart. The heart is the seat of one's thoughts (as opposed to the brain), since it is one's emotions and deductive understanding (both located in the heart) which give "shape" to one's thoughts. The heart/Binah thus determines if you think positively or negatively through the dark constrictions of life.
We also light the Shamash along with the 8 candles. Shamash - etymologically similar to Shemesh, the sun - represents the Tzaddikim who "shine", enable, teach us and guide us how to think positive throughout life. LIke the Chashmonaim who fought our battle and re-instituted the light and holiness of the Holy Temple through the Holy Menorah, the Tzaddikim of every generation, through their Torah teachings and holy merit, re-instill into the Jewish Nation the ability to "create" new horizons of revealing Hashem's Kingship and Authority in the world, until finally the Third Temple will be built and called a "House of Prayer" to all of the nations and by extension to the entire universe.
May we see this very soon in our days, Amen.
Thus we light the Chanukah candles in a progressive manner, advancing step-by-step. This indicates the step-by-step advancement of revealing Hashem's Kingship and Authority through good deeds due to the measured amount and revelation of this light from within the darkness/constriction.
There must also be a separation between each candle (i.e. you are not allowed to light the candles together in a single container), indicating also that the light of the Chanukah menorah must be revealed step-by-step between separations of darkness/constriction.
We also light 8 candles. The number 8 is synonymous with the Sefirah of Binah, which corresponds to the heart. The heart is the seat of one's thoughts (as opposed to the brain), since it is one's emotions and deductive understanding (both located in the heart) which give "shape" to one's thoughts. The heart/Binah thus determines if you think positively or negatively through the dark constrictions of life.
We also light the Shamash along with the 8 candles. Shamash - etymologically similar to Shemesh, the sun - represents the Tzaddikim who "shine", enable, teach us and guide us how to think positive throughout life. LIke the Chashmonaim who fought our battle and re-instituted the light and holiness of the Holy Temple through the Holy Menorah, the Tzaddikim of every generation, through their Torah teachings and holy merit, re-instill into the Jewish Nation the ability to "create" new horizons of revealing Hashem's Kingship and Authority in the world, until finally the Third Temple will be built and called a "House of Prayer" to all of the nations and by extension to the entire universe.
May we see this very soon in our days, Amen.
* * *
Less than a month ago, I married off my first child and daughter here in Jerusalem. The joy was out of this world. Here is a sample clip of the wedding joy:
Now that the wedding celebrations are over, I am now overburdened with the heavy wedding expenses. Any help in this special mitzvah would be greatly appreciated.
Help could be sent through this paypal link: HACHNASAT KALLAH SUPPORT
As a token of appreciated for you help and support, I would like to - bli neder - daven for you at the holy cites here in Jerusalem.
Thank you and may Hashem bless you for your help and support
An en"lightening" Chanukah experience to you all.
Sincerely
Meir Elkabas
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