Igniting Extinguished Souls
A lesson from the Tiferes Shlomo on Chanukah
The Neshama is called “the candle of Hashem”. This is alluded in the word נר (candle) which is an acronym for נפש רוח, two names which mean soul. Kabbalistically they represent different levels of the soul.
On Shabbos, there are restriction on what types of oils and wicks may be used for the Mitzvah of Shabbos candles. This is because of a concern that inferior oils or wicks will not burn brightly and one may tilt the lamp to make them burn brighter, which is forbidden on Shabbos.
The Gemara teaches that according to some of the sages, these restriction do not apply to the oils and wicks used for Chanukah candles. The Gemara teaches that those wicks and oils that may not be kindled on Shabbos, may be kindled on Chanukah.
Using the metaphor of a candle for the Neshama, the Tiferes Shlomo interprets the Gemara as follows.
Some souls do not become kindled and illuminated by Shabbos. Yet even these souls can become ignited by the power and G-dly light of Chanukah. This is why the Chanukah candles should preferably be placed lower than 10 Tefachim (approx. 80cm), alluding to their power to reach and illuminate even the lowest of souls.
This message is also alluded to in the ruling הדלקה עושה מצוה. Literally this means that the Mitzvah is fulfilled with the lighting. But it can also be read as saying the Mitzvah does the lighting, referring to the power of the Chanukah candles kindle souls.
One of the sages in the Gemara teaches כבתה זקוק לה - if it (the candle) became extinguished, we are obliged towards it (to relight it). In a deeper sense, this directive refers teaches us that when we see a soul that appears to have lost its light, we have an obligation to rekindle them with the power of the light of Chanukah.
On Shabbos, there are restriction on what types of oils and wicks may be used for the Mitzvah of Shabbos candles. This is because of a concern that inferior oils or wicks will not burn brightly and one may tilt the lamp to make them burn brighter, which is forbidden on Shabbos.
The Gemara teaches that according to some of the sages, these restriction do not apply to the oils and wicks used for Chanukah candles. The Gemara teaches that those wicks and oils that may not be kindled on Shabbos, may be kindled on Chanukah.
Using the metaphor of a candle for the Neshama, the Tiferes Shlomo interprets the Gemara as follows.
Some souls do not become kindled and illuminated by Shabbos. Yet even these souls can become ignited by the power and G-dly light of Chanukah. This is why the Chanukah candles should preferably be placed lower than 10 Tefachim (approx. 80cm), alluding to their power to reach and illuminate even the lowest of souls.
This message is also alluded to in the ruling הדלקה עושה מצוה. Literally this means that the Mitzvah is fulfilled with the lighting. But it can also be read as saying the Mitzvah does the lighting, referring to the power of the Chanukah candles kindle souls.
One of the sages in the Gemara teaches כבתה זקוק לה - if it (the candle) became extinguished, we are obliged towards it (to relight it). In a deeper sense, this directive refers teaches us that when we see a soul that appears to have lost its light, we have an obligation to rekindle them with the power of the light of Chanukah.