By Dr. Rabbi Moshe Dror
We are dealing with one of the classical patterns- that -connect of Judaism.
The tradition of “Kudsha Brich Hu, Orayta, VeYisrael-Had Hu” ((Zohar;
Vayikrah, 73) – God, Torah, and Israel are One. These connect the fundamental
unity of the Judaic world view. Each of these three concepts is referred to using
the metaphor of light.
I will bring just a representative number of references to make the point.
GOD:
1.1. “And God said: Let there be light, and there was light” (Genesis 1:3)
1.2. “God is my light and my salvation” (Psalms 27:1)
1.3.” In thy light shall we see light” (Psalms 36:9)
1.4. “God descended on Sinai in fire” (Exodus 19:18)
1.5. “God wraps Himself with light as a garment” (Psalms 104:2)
TORAH:
2.1. “The commandment is a lamp, and Torah is light” (Proverbs 6:23)
2.2. “Light, this is Torah” (Megillah 15a)
2.3. “Enlighten your eyes in your Torah” (Prayer Book, Morning Service)
ISRAEL:
3.1. “The lamp of God is the soul of man” (Proverbs 20:27)
3.2 “A light unto the nations” (Isaiah 42:6)
In 1988, I worked with Professor Menachem Alexenberg to develop an exhibition for the Yeshiva University Museum with the Center for Advanced Visual Studies of MIT . The theme of the exhibition was “LightsOrot”.
As part of the exhibition catalogue they developed a light concordance by Yosef Wosk with Joel Ziff.
Listed are scores of quotes from the various sources in Judaism, much too many to bring here. All, I want to indicate are the categories they use:
1. Light of the Infinite
2. Lights of Creation
3. Light as Spirit (Revelation)
4. Temple Lights
5. Darkness
6. People as Bringers and Beings of Light
7. Light in the Daily Cycle
8. Light in the Sabbath Ritual
9. Light in the Holiday Ritual
10. Life Cycle Lights
11. Lights of Redemption.
Amazing indeed are the many ways in which light and its various dimensions and aspects have become part and parcel of the Judaic consciousness and human aspirations.
More on this LightsOrot exhibit in a later blog.
