The mandate of the whole of Creation is stated almost immediately.
They translate it as “Let there be light.”
But it is better translated as, “It should be light.”
Meaning that all the world—even the darkness—should become a source of light and wisdom.
And that mandate He put in our hands.
At the possible risk of what I am about to ask publicly, is there a place right at the beginning of the Creation story (B’Reshit….) where these words regarding a mandate can replace what we “know and love”? I think it would be much more impactful on many levels. Reply
In other words, could the traditional text be refined in order to make the meaning more immanent? Reply
And the Almighty said: Let there be light. And there was light, which allowed you to see for miles. But there was nobody around to see with it, and nothing yet for them to see in any case, Then the Almighty said: Let there be a firmermant above and a firmament below. And they were formed. But how they could be distinguished as being above and below nobody could have known (had anybody been around). So up and down were the same. The concept of there being light and space for it to pass through is very mysterious and this is not easily understood nor properly explained in the Tanakh. Today physisists still find it difficult to know why the speed of light is fixed and if we are to regard this light as something psychological like awareness, what it implies. Reply
The Very word. When it is spoken holds 3 secrets to creation. Within it are inscribed the key. All of the world is made with light within. Visible light. And light which cannot be seen. Such as that of the human soul; a spark of light within an earthly vessel made in the image of the eternal one; blessed be he! We should strive to light the darkness; we should strive to make the bitter sweet. I have heard it said “joyful is the one who study’s Torah; that they see it is the light of the world and they find truth in it!” Reply
Each and every life has the opportunity to be a beacon of light or the seed of darkness. Thus this is the essence of free-will and choice. Reply
Hi Michael, we are in Vero Beach Florida. Where in Florida are you. Reply
Be Light!
Be like G_d!
Behave like G_d!
To the extent you try to change your attitude to others you will allow His Light to fill your soul.
Then you will become more tolerant, understanding, accepting, compassionate, agreeable and forgiving of others. You will feel as if we are all tied together and must relate in these sublime qualities of the Light to rise to a new level of existence.
Now our divisiveness, hatred, rejection between people is exposed in all facets of life. Our egoistic quality manifests in theses antagonistic results. We expose our corrupt behavior to recognize the problem is our nature.
We awaken harmful forces in nature like the Coronavirus that forces us apart until we can accept G_d to allow His Light to reform us.
G_d's schedule for progressing us to be like His Light demands our cooperation now. The message is clear.
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Brenda,
Reading your comments 5 years later, they remain profound and on-point. In shul we are always reminded of this and we have the great gift of opportunity to focus on the Light of Hashem and become His Chariots to enlighten our world, His Gift to us. Your beautiful narrative is a gift as well. Thank you.
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Thank you, Brad, for highlighting the message to bring G_d's gift to humanity.
We can accelerate G_d's plan by tuning in to Him. To connect to the higher frequency we need to imagine the warm embrace of the Light between us as one heart. G_d feels the hearts. Then His Light dwells among us.
If many people do this alone or in groups, the Light will reach the masses until the tipping point is reached.
There will be Light!
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Thanks Brenda! Beautifully thought and written by you. Reply
John Milton in his epic poem "Paradise Lost" wrote in the introduction, which is an appeal to the muse of poetry: "That which is within me dark, illuminate, and justify the way of G-d to men". So the light also comes from inside. Reply
Light brings wisdom and out of wisdom shines light. More light to outshine the darkness, more light to lead you down the right path, more light to ignite your spirit, so as to focus your heart and mind upon the true light of the world which is our creator, G d. It should be light instead of darkness, but how do we see more light if the darkness obscures the light. And how do we extinguish the darkness and show more light, if we choose to be blind to all the wrong doing we’re doing and the world is doing. Yes, yes a hundred times it should say let there be more light, but we as servants or workers for the man who made light must work and work everyday to change our behaviors so then we can say there is more light. Because I pray for all my enemies instead of hating them, I pray for the man who’s hungry and sick and not only do I pray for him, I give to him thru charity. Oh, G d, Heavenly Father, help me to do my part in saying it should be light. Reply
Yes,
Even God said Light be and it was ...
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timing " Let there be Light " ... that was then, Created the world " It should become light " belongs to now, a call to action to make a Heaven on Earth. Reply
Good
Seven time G-D states, "And it was good." HIS mandate proceeded HIS approval. In the garden of G-D's perfection all was good that meant that even the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which was in the midst of the garden on the third day was pronounce in a blanket covering of that day G-D stated that it was good.
Reading in the book of Josephus on the creation of the world when Adam's lived in the garden the serpent at first was like a pet that hung around them. After he are of the forbidden fruit he became both envious and jealous over the perfect state of Adam's then he decided to deceive the woman The woman knew the snake to be a pet and so it was far easier for her to walk into the trap the snake wanted both Adam's to do against their first commandment.
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Re: articles
Most of these thoughts--including this one--are available in book form in the two volumes of "Bringing Heaven Down To Earth."
See the bio at the end of the article for order information.
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articles I do not like the articles broken up. They cannot be printed due to be in parts and it is not conducive to continuity of thought Reply
It is my goal this year to help bring love, light and kindness to the world around me. It can seem as though in your circle of influence there may be negativity due to the constant bombardment of news or other information. We need to plant seeds of love, light and optimism with hopes of watching those seeds grow into others doing the same. Love, light, peace and optimism can grow! Be the light the world needs!
Baruch Hashem!