Where To Find The Light
On Saturday, October 29th begins the new cycle of the Torah reading. It starts with, “In the beginning of God’s creating the heavens and the earth – when the earth was astonishingly empty, with darkness upon the surface of the deep, and the Divine Presence hovered upon the surface of the waters – God said “Let there be light “ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated between the light and the darkness” (Genesis 1: 1-4). And then “God made the two great luminaries -the great luminary to dominate the day and the lesser luminary to dominate the night, and the stars. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, to dominate by day and by night, and to separate between the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:16-18). After the Earth sprouted with the vegetation and trees, and water and land, it became populated with living creatures. “And God said “Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26). This last sentence summarizes the whole purpose of the creation process. Humans were created with the ability to act like God, i.e. to be able to choose between the light and the darkness and between good and not good. God said, “Man has now become like one of us in knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:22). Toward the end of the Torah reading cycle, which was just a few weeks ago, the idea of separation and choosing is repeated again. After years of many challenges, travelling through the desert, receiving God’s commandments and life teachings, the Israelites, led by Moses, are about to arrive at the Promised Land. Shortly before his death, Moses passes on God’s message.
“I have placed life and death before you, blessing and curse; and you shall choose life, so that you will live, you and your off-springs” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Since light is associated with life and darkness with death, the choice is clear – choose light. Often the question is “where?” and “how?”
Sometimes making a decision can be challenging. Take, for example forthcoming election. The results might be joyful for some and disappointing for others. Regardless of what they are – there is always going to be light and darkness. When it will get dark, stop worrying, just go to sleep, the next morning the sun will appear again, even if the sky is covered with clouds and it is raining (which helps to bring life).
Of course you can create light just by turning on an electrical switch. But if you want to witness the arrival of the light at the sunrise, this requires more efforts. You either have to get to a higher point or to find an unobstructed location facing East. You also need to get there before the show begins, dress in warm clothing and be patient. If the sky is cloudy or foggy, do not despair, keep coming back, when light will appear, you will realize why choosing light/life is the true purpose of living.
Enjoy and Share.
P.S. Leaving my home at 6.30am (at this time of the year) and arriving at the top of Mt. Davidson twenty minutes later is the opportunity to witness the miracle of the creation. I will share with you images of the sunrise in a forthcoming story about Mt. Davidson. Meanwhile, these four images show how the light of the sun creates a new visual reality.
Since the word “photography” means “drawing with the light”, you can have light at your disposal at any time, just by buying my book “42 Encounters in San Francisco”. You can do it.
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Cheers,
