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Hannukah: The Soul Illuminated
As we soon gather to light our menorahs this Hannukah, we are invited to explore the deeper spiritual lessons these lights offer. One profound interpretation, rooted in rabbinic tradition and illuminated by the teachings of the Chassidic masters, reveals that the word Nefesh (soul or person) can be understood as an acronym for Ner, Petilah, and Shemen (Light, Wick, and Oil), three elements that together symbolize the soul's journey.
The ner, the light, the flame of the candle, represents the soul’s deepest aspiration: to rise and reach its Creator. In Chassidic thought, the flame’s upward motion reflects the soul’s innate desire to connect with the Divine, transcending the physical world, yearning to grow and seeking enlightenment. The light, in its purity, reminds us of the potential within each of us to shine brightly, even in times of darkness.
The petilah, or wick, serves as the intermediary between the flame and the oil. It is the connection between the spiritual and the material, the vehicle that allows the flame to burn. In the context of the soul, the wick represents the heart, the place of our inner connection to the physical world. It is through our actions, our intentions, and our daily lives that we allow the light of the soul to express itself. The wick does not produce the light on its own; it is the medium through which the light is manifested.
Finally, the shemen, or oil, is the essential foundation of the flame. It sustains the light, allowing it to burn steadily and continually. In Chassidic teachings, the oil represents the body, the physical realm in which the soul is grounded. Just as oil nourishes the flame, so does the body nourish the soul. While the soul’s light is what inspires us, it is the body that supports and sustains the soul’s journey in this world.
Together, these three elements ner (light), petilah (wick), and shemen (oil) illustrate the harmony between the physical and the spiritual, showing how they work together to allow the soul to reach its highest potential. The menorah, lit each night of Hannukah, is a living symbol of this interplay.
As we light the candles, we are reminded that we, like the menorah, are a fusion of material and spiritual elements, grounded in the physical world, yet always aspiring toward something higher.
May this Hannukah inspire us to kindle the flame within and allow our souls to shine brightly in the world.
- Rabbi David Cohen-Henriquez
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