That feeling isn’t new. In fact, there's a beautiful passage in the Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 499 that speaks directly to this. It uses the image of extinguished candles to describe the history of the Jewish people.
Imagine this: Rebbe Yochanan tells a story of someone walking at night. Someone kindly lights a candle, but it flickers and dies. Then another person lights another, and it too is extinguished. Discouraged, the traveler says, "From now on, I am only waiting for the light of morning."
The Yalkut Shimoni then relates this to the Jewish people. They say to Hakodesh Baruch Hu, the Holy One, blessed be He, "We made a Menorah for You in the days of Moshe, and it was extinguished. In the days of King Solomon, and it too was extinguished. From now on we are only waiting for Your light."
It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? A yearning for a light that won't fade.
But then comes the promise, the turning point: "Rise! Shine! For your light has come."
Rebbe Achah offers another beautiful analogy: Israel is compared to an olive tree, as it says, “A luxurious Olive Tree with fruit beautiful in form Hashem named you.” (Jeremiah 11:16). And Hashem is compared to a candle: “The candle of Hashem is the soul of man” (Proverbs 20:27). Oil feeds the candle, and together they illuminate. So, Hakodesh Baruch Hu says to Israel: "Since My light is your light, and your light is My light, you and I will go and illuminate Zion together." This is the promise of shared light, a partnership in bringing illumination to the world.
Rebbi Hoshaiah adds to this vision, saying that in the future, Israel will be a lamp for the nations, who will come to its light. "The mountain of the house of Hashem will be established..." (Isaiah 2:2). This echoes the verse: "For with You is the source of life, And in Your light, light is seen" (Psalm 36:10).
What exactly is that light?
The Yalkut Shimoni goes on to say that the light we see in God's light is the light of Mashiach, the Messiah. "God saw that the light was good" (Genesis 1:4) refers to the light of Mashiach, which Hakodesh Baruch Hu foresaw and stashed away under His Throne of Glory even before creation!
Then comes a dramatic scene. Satan asks God about this hidden light. God reveals Mashiach to him, and Satan is terrified, realizing that this Messiah will cast him down into Gehinom (hell).
The nations of the world, stirred up by Satan's fear, ask God who this powerful figure is. God answers: "Ephraim my righteous Moshiach is his name." He will elevate Israel, save his people, and no one will be able to stand against him.
But here's where it gets even more interesting, and deeply human.
Hakodesh Baruch Hu makes a stipulation with Moshiach. He tells him that the sins of the people will be placed upon him, like a yoke of iron, causing him great suffering. God asks, "Is this your will?"
Moshiach, in an act of incredible selflessness, accepts this burden, but on one condition: that not one soul of Israel will be lost, including those who have died, even stillborn babies, and even those only conceived in God's thought.
This paints a picture of Moshiach ben David, Messiah son of David, willingly taking on the pain and suffering of the world to ensure the salvation of all.
The text then describes the immense suffering of Moshiach ben Yoseph, Messiah son of Joseph, in the week leading up to the Messiah's arrival. He cries out to God, feeling overwhelmed by the burden. God comforts him, reminding him that he accepted this from the beginning of creation and that God Himself shares in this pain. "My head is drenched with dew," God says, quoting Psalm 22:3, signifying His own suffering.
Finally, Moshiach ben Yoseph is appeased, accepting his role, saying, "It is sufficient that the servant be like his master."
The Yalkut Shimoni concludes with a description of the chaos and fear that will precede the coming of the Messiah. But God reassures Israel: "Do not be afraid! All that I have done, I have only done for your sake... the time of your redemption has arrived."
And this final redemption, unlike the earlier ones, will be complete and lasting, without pain or enslavement.
So, what does this all mean for us?
This passage from the Yalkut Shimoni offers a powerful message of hope and resilience. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, when our lights seem to be extinguished, the promise of a brighter future remains. It speaks to the profound connection between God and Israel, a partnership in bringing light to the world. And it highlights the selfless sacrifice of Moshiach, who willingly takes on the burdens of humanity to ensure our ultimate redemption.
It's a reminder that even when we feel lost in the darkness, we are not alone, and the light, eventually, will come. Maybe, even, we can be a small candle for someone else, until that greater light appears.