Chanukah Concludes

Tonight is lit the eight and final light of Chanukah at the darkest time of the year initiating a new light.

One of the ways suggested by the Rabbis to observe the holiday is to stare at the flames of the menorah for the half hour period proscribed in fulfilling the Mitzvah/Commandment of Chanukah.

Fire is the highest of the four elements with a nature to detach from the wick and meld back into spirit. The Cabala explains how the fire is divided into light and essence–the source of fire.

The ultimate source of fire is OreAinSof/LightWithoutEnd which existed previous to creation. When this primordial light was broken to make space for creation there remained “hints of points” what we know as stars; the starlight is the revelation but the star is the hidden source of the light.

The expanse between the stars and the earth is measured in light years–light being the revelation between two points, the heaven and the earth. The Torah calls the light coming to us Ore Yashor/Straight Light but the light reflected back Ore Chaazir/Returning Light extending further back than where emanated from–thus going deeper into the source.

Performing physical commandments effects the source of light and brings new illumination into the world.