1 Teves: You Are Moshiach's Candle
YOU ARE MOSHIACH’S CANDLE
[To commemorate the miracles of Chanukah,] the sages of that generation ordained that each of the eight nights [of Chanukah be celebrated by...] lighting candles in the evening at the entrance to the houses to publicize and reveal the miracle. (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Zmanim, Megillah v’Chanukah, 3:3)
G-d performed the miracle of Chanukah by using oil and light to teach us many lessons, as Mishlei (20:27) states, “The soul of man is the candle of G-d.”
A candle is complete with fuel and wick, but it requires fire to produce light. A soul is always pure and holy, but without understanding and inspiration, it remains dormant.
Once a candle is lit, it burns without further assistance. Once the mind is ignited by the light of the soul, it, too, grows.
A candle’s light spreads in all directions, benefiting everyone around. A fiery soul spreads light and joy to all those near and far.
The candle doesn’t consume the oil and wick for its own sake, but to provide light for others. The soul descends to this world not to perfect itself, but to light up the darkness of the world.
One candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. One soul loses nothing by teaching and inspiring another.
A candle needs a holder to make use of oil or fuel. The soul needs Torah and mitzvos to express its essence.
We must make ourselves into luminous candles to spread the light of Moshiach, as we say (Rosh Hashanah Amidah), “Prepare a candle for theson of Yishai, your Moshiach, speedily in our days.”
Likkutei Sichos, vol. II, pg. 484, and footnote 18
