Spread Your Light

As I was lighting my Shabbos candles last week and staring at the fire as Shabbos was ushered into our home, I thought of the calm and serene atmosphere that takes over just as Shabbos arrives. The stark contrast between the preShabbos rush and the peace and quiet that follows once the candles are lit, never ceases to amaze me. Each week as I stand before my candles, I revel in their beauty, their symbolism and my ability to connect with my creator in such an intimate way. While staring at the fire, I contemplate how intriguing fire really is. So many uses and so many possibilities. Fire can warm and bring light and fire can also cause massive harm and destruction. As with everything, we must use it wisely, knowing its boundaries, appreciating its gift. In particular, this week we celebrate hadlakat neirot as we read Parshat Chayei Sara, and learn about the amazing life of Sara Imeinu. Sara had so many beautiful qualities, and because she was so special, while she was living, her candles stayed lit from week to week among other miracles that occurred in her tent. How amazing is it that we, as Jewish women, continue to light Shabbos candles each week, carrying on Sara’s beautiful tradition. But what else can we learn from these candles? What lesson can we glean from the mesmerizing lights of the fire?

Both Sara Imainu and Avraham Avinu spent their lives improving the lives of others, spreading their knowledge of Hashem and how to be good Jews long before the official rule book of the Torah came out for us to follow. They were trailblazers, traveling to the unknown, setting precedents, and serving as role models for countless individuals. They spent their entire lives taking the strengths and abilities that Hashem gave them and sharing them with others. And it made me think ; we are their children. And we too contain a spark from our forefathers that lives within us.

Hashem gave each and every one of us varying talents and abilities that we can choose to keep inside or share with the world. Some of us have an amazing ability to make others laugh, while others always know how to give the perfect advice. Some of us can sing or play an instrument, while others can invent life saving medications, machines or computer programs. Some of us can reveal the world’s beauty through art, while others can do it through writing and poetry. Some of us are fashionistas and can teach people how to look and dress their best while others have an incredible ability to undress our heart and soul, revealing the beauty of our insides. Some of us can teach and share delicious ways to fill our bellies while others know how to fill our souls with Torah. The possibilities are endless. Our abilities our endless. As long as we seek to uncover them and use the chance to share them, we are following in the footsteps of our fathers and mothers and spreading light, just like they did. So how is our ability to spread light compared to the holy flames we usher in each week? Well, it’s quite simple. Fire has the ability to spread light and warmth to others without diminishing its shine. The more light it shares, the brighter it is. So let’s take this opportunity to spread our abilities and characteristics that can help improve the lives of others. And by doing that, we can make ourselves shine brighter too, and hopefully illuminate the path that can finally take us all home.

Wishing you all a peaceful and beautiful Shabbos!