Why is a person compared to a candle? |
In memory of Tuvia Katz z”l who spread light
throughout
Parshat Tetzave opens with
the mitzvah to kindle the ner tamid, the everlasting flame.
The act of lighting candles
has great significance in Judaism. We light candles to bring in Shabbat and
holidays as well as to end Shabbat. We
light Chanuka candles to remember the rededication of the Beit Hamikdash. Memorial
candles are lit to remember those who passed away during shiva, yahrzeit and on
the eve of the holidays when Yizkor is recited.
How are we compared to
candles?
The Midrash, Shmot Rabba 36:3
explains: In Mishlei (Proverbs) 6:23 we read: “Ki ner mitzvah v’Torah ohr”, “For
the commandment is a candle and Torah is light”, meaning that whoever performs
a mitzvah has kindled a candle before God and revives his soul as it says in
Mislei 20:27, “Ner HaShem nishmat adam”, “The soul of man is the candle of God.”
Shmot Rabba continues, “For
the commandment is a candle and Torah is light” teaches us that man’s heart
frequently prompts him to perform a mitzvah, but the evil inclination inside of
him says: Why should you perform a good deed at the expense of your pocket?
Before you give to others, give to your children. But the good inclination says
to him: Give for a mitzvah as it says: “For the commandment is a candle.” Just
as the light of a candle remains undimmed, though myriads of wicks and flames
may be lit from it, he who gives for a worthy cause does not make a hole in his
pocket.
Nechama Leibowitz points out
that the light of the candle differs from all other material benefits in the
world which if man shares with his fellow, his portion decreases and his
fellow’s increases. The light of the candle, on the other hand, supplies light
to others without diminishing its own light in any way. If a good deed has been
performed- though it might have involved a loss of time and money- the doer has
not really lost. His neighbors and friends whether they benefit directly from
the good deed or bask in its light- all of them light their candle from his,
effecting a general increase in light.
Just as candles spread light, we must strive to give of ourselves and help others as much as we can, serving as an “ohr lagoyim”, a light unto the nations. |