It’s more than just wax and wick, you know. According to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, one of the most profound works of Kabbalah, a candle's light holds deep mystical significance.
The text we're looking at today comes from Tikkunei Zohar 99, and it paints a vivid picture. It says that the candle itself is the letter Hei (ה), the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a letter often associated with the Divine Presence. And within that Hei, five colors shine: white, red, green, black, and blue. Imagine that for a moment – a spectrum of light hidden within a single flame.
But what do these colors mean? That's where things get really interesting. The Tikkunei Zohar connects these colors to different aspects of the spiritual world, different energies at play. And the letter Vav (ו), the sixth letter, it says, is the inner light of the candle itself. It's the connection, the conduit to something higher.
But the text doesn’t stop there. It introduces a darker element. Samael, often considered the angel of death or a representation of darkness, is described as ḥoshekh (darkness) itself. The snake, a recurring symbol of temptation and negativity, is associated with qadrut, "blackening."
And here's where it gets chilling. The text then quotes Isaiah 50:3: "I shall dress the heavens with blackening, and of his female: and sackcloth I shall make their covering." A stark image of despair and concealment.
The Tikkunei Zohar warns, "Woe to the soul when it becomes enclothed in their blackness!" It's a powerful statement, a caution against succumbing to negativity and spiritual darkness. It immediately follows up with a quote from Genesis 27:1 about Isaac's dimming eyesight, "...and his eyes were dimmed from seeing..."
What's the connection? It's suggesting that when we allow ourselves to be consumed by darkness, our spiritual vision, our ability to perceive the truth, becomes clouded. We lose our way.
So, what can we take away from this brief but potent passage? It's a reminder of the constant battle between light and darkness, both within ourselves and in the world around us. The candle, with its multifaceted light, represents the potential for illumination, for spiritual clarity. But the shadow of Samael and the "blackening" serve as a warning. We must actively cultivate the light within us, guarding against the forces that seek to dim our vision and enshroud us in darkness.
Next time you light a candle, maybe you'll see more than just a flame. Maybe you'll see a reflection of the eternal struggle, and a reminder of the power of light to overcome the darkness.