Uplifting, even.
The book of Ecclesiastes, or Kohelet as we know it in Hebrew, captures this feeling perfectly: "The light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to behold the sun." (Ecclesiastes 11:7). But what kind of light are we really talking about here?
Well, in Kohelet Rabbah, a fascinating collection of rabbinic interpretations on Ecclesiastes, the rabbis suggest a beautiful idea: that the "light" isn't just about the physical sun. It's about the light of Torah. Imagine that: Torah as a source of illumination, of warmth, of pure goodness. It’s a powerful image, isn't it?
Think about it. When we delve into Torah, when we wrestle with its teachings and stories, doesn’t it feel like a light is being switched on inside us? Doesn't learning offer a new perspective, a clearer understanding, a path forward?
The text continues, "Happy is he whose learning illuminates for him like the sun." What a blessing – to have your understanding, your very life, lit up by the wisdom of Torah!
But the rabbis don't stop there. Rabbi Aḥa offers another layer to this radiant image. He suggests that the "light" Ecclesiastes speaks of is actually the light of the World to Come – Olam Ha-Ba. That ultimate, unimaginable reality that awaits us.
Think about the implications. If even a glimpse of earthly sunlight brings us joy, how much more glorious must the light of the World to Come be?
Rabbi Aḥa says: "The light of the World to Come is sweet. Happy is he who will merit to see that light." He then points us to the prophet Isaiah (30:26), who paints a vivid picture of that future time: "The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun…"
Imagine a world where even the moonlight is as bright as sunshine! A world bathed in such intense, unadulterated light. It's a breathtaking vision.
So, the next time you feel the sun on your face, remember this teaching. Remember that the light we see is just a hint, a whisper, of the greater lights that are available to us. The light of Torah, illuminating our minds and hearts. And the ultimate light of the World to Come, beckoning us towards an eternity of joy and understanding.
What kind of light are you seeking today?