We flip a switch and flood a room with light without a second thought. But millennia ago, kindling a flame was a precious act. So why did God command it in the Mishkan, the Tabernacle?
The verse in Isaiah (42:21) says, “The Lord is desirous of him because of his righteousness; he will render the Torah great and glorious.” It seems like a roundabout way to talk about lighting lamps, right? But the Bamidbar Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Numbers, offers a fascinating perspective.
It suggests that God doesn't need our lamps. Think about it: "And the light rests with Him," says Daniel (2:22). And Psalm 139:12 reminds us, “Even darkness does not darken for You, and night, like day, illuminates. Darkness and light are the same.” So, according to the Midrash, He's not sitting up there in the heavens, fretting about the electric bill.
The text gives a beautiful analogy. When we build a house, we usually make windows that are narrow on the outside and wide on the inside, to maximize the amount of sunlight coming in. But Solomon, when he built the Beit Hamikdash, the Temple in Jerusalem, did the opposite! The windows were narrow on the inside and wide on the outside, so that the light would shine out from the Temple. As it says in I Kings 6:4, "He made for the House recessed narrowing windows.” The point? To show that God is all light, and doesn't need our meager illumination.
So, if God doesn’t need our lamps, why the commandment? That’s where the heart of the matter lies. According to the Bamidbar Rabbah, God said to Moses: 'It is not because I need the lamps that I cautioned you regarding the lamps, but rather to accord them merit.' In other words, it's for our benefit! The act of kindling the lamps is an opportunity for us to connect, to participate in something sacred, to earn zechut, merit. "That is why it is stated: 'When you kindle the lamps.' That is, 'The Lord is desirous of him because of his righteousness.'"
And there's even more to it. The text continues, “[God said:] ‘If you are vigilant in kindling the lamps before Me, I will illuminate for you with a great light in the future.’” It connects this act of lighting lamps in the Mishkan to a future time of ultimate redemption. It quotes Isaiah 60:1, 3: “Arise, shine, for your light has come…. Nations will walk by your light and kings by the radiance of your shining.”
So, the next time you light a candle – whether it's a Shabbat candle, a Hanukkah menorah, or just a simple tea light – remember this story. It’s not just about chasing away the darkness. It's about participating in something much bigger than ourselves. It’s about earning merit and anticipating a future illuminated by an even greater light. A light that we, in our small way, help to bring into the world.