But what sparks this joy? What ignites this closeness?
The Tikkun (spiritual repair)ei Zohar offers a striking image: an older person emerges from behind a wall. Now, walls in Kabbalah often represent the barriers we put up ourselves, the limitations we impose on our own potential. This elder, stepping out of the shadows, feels symbolic, doesn't it?
He calls out to his teacher, "Rebbe, my teacher, The Holy Light, come and light candles, for that is a Mitzva (commandment)!"
Why candles?
The answer lies in the verse he quotes: "An everlasting fire shall be kept burning on the altar, it should not be extinguished" (Leviticus 6:6). This isn't just about physical fire. It's about the eternal flame within each of us, the spark of the divine. The elder continues, invoking another phrase "To light the eternal flame." He sees this as the very essence of the divine, "the light that shines within the soul of every person." Each of us carries a spark of the divine. And the elder's invitation is clear: "Come, light it with her." With whom? It's left beautifully ambiguous. Perhaps it’s the Shekhinah, the divine feminine. Perhaps it’s with the community. Perhaps it's even with yourself.
It's an invitation to connect, to ignite that inner flame, not in isolation, but in relationship. The mitzvah, the commandment, isn't just about following rules. It’s about kindling that inner light, that connection to something larger than ourselves. It's about recognizing the divine spark in others, and in ourselves.
So, the next time you feel that longing, that sense of waiting for something amazing, remember the elder behind the wall. Remember the invitation to light the eternal flame. Maybe, just maybe, the joy and the music are waiting for you to strike the match.