Where To Find The Light


Where To Find The Light


“We are surrounded by light–sometimes we just need to open our eyes.”

In the Torah, the manifestation of light was the first act of the creation of our world.

“God said, ‘Let there be light and there was light. And God saw the light and it was good, and God separated between the light and between the darkness” (Genesis 1:3-4).

What is the meaning of this primordial light? After all, the sun and the moon were created only on the fourth day.

“And God said, “Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens, to separate between the day and between the night, and they shall be for signs and for appointed seasons and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14).

Today December 19th, Jews and their friends are celebrating the third day of the holiday, Chanukah, which is known as “The Festival of Light”. It is connected with events that happened over 2000 years ago. A small group of Jews started a revolt against the Syrian Greek Seleucid Empire and in 166 BC, released the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. During the rededication of the temple, the large menorah had to be lit every day, but there was only one container with the purified oil. Miraculously, it lasted for eight days until new oil was produced. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of the nine-branched menorah or Chanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday professing to the eighth on the final night. The additional (ninth) light is called a shamash or attendant, and is used to light the rest of the lights.

There are a number of traditions associated with this holiday.  Since the original light in the Temple was lit with oil, there are “oily” foods associated with the holiday, such as doughnuts and latkes (potato pancakes). Though latkes are not necessarily good for those who are concerned about their waistlines, they can make a delicious meal (especially prepared by my wife, Elfa).

But what does this story have to do with the primordial light? As we’ve seen before, the good, the light, and the darkness were the basic elements of the creation of the world. And it is man’s and woman’s (who were created on the sixth day) task to always strive to find the good by separating the light from the darkness.

Happy Chanukah! Enjoy the latkes and stay dry.

P.S.

The word “photography” comes from the Greek word phos, photos—light and graphos—writing. It literally translates to writing with the light—or to be more accurate, drawing or painting with light. To support this story, I’ve used Chanukah candles, which replaced the oil for the menorah. Light, my camera, and software on my computer were used to create the painting of my vision. Enjoy!

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